Benicia has chosen its new interim police chief in anticipation of Chief Mike Greene’s retirement in February, the department said this week.  

Lieutenant Mark Menesini will take the helm after Greene leaves on Feb. 20.

According to the Benicia Police Department, Menesini started with the department in 2000, where he began as a patrol officer, detective, SWAT operator, bike officer, mobile field force operator and field training officer.  

Menesini was promoted to sergeant in 2015 and then lieutenant in 2019.  

In his current duties he oversees the patrol division, K-9, animal control, officer reserves and other areas. He was named Benicia’s Officer of the Year twice — in 2006 and 2014. 

Greene said he has “great faith” in Menesini and feels “at ease” leaving the department in his hands.  

Benicia Police Chief Mike Greene. Benicia is in Solano County Calif. (Benicia Police Department via Bay City News)

Greene announced his retirement last August after 30 years on the force.  

Benicia City Manager Mario Giuliani on Monday said the city has contracted with Bob Murray and Associates to select its next chief of police.  

A police chief recruitment town hall will be held on Feb. 13 to gather feedback from the community, Giuliani said. 

The city manager added that much will ride on the outcome of the March 5 election and whether revenue measures pass that could influence the recruitment process.  

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.