The city of Napa has elevated its acting police chief, Fabio Rodriguez, to take on the role permanently.
Rodriguez had been serving as the acting chief since the retirement of former Chief Jennifer Gonzales in April after more than 30 years in law enforcement.
He joined the Napa Police Department in 2022 as a captain after serving 24 years with the Vallejo Police Department.
The city said Rodriguez has advanced the department’s community policing program, organizational development, and public safety initiatives.
“Chief Rodriguez has demonstrated strong, steady leadership during his time as captain and as acting chief,” Napa City Manager Steve Potter said in a statement. “He brings a deep commitment to community engagement, public safety innovation, and team development. We are confident in his vision for the future of community policing in Napa.”
Rodriguez worked a range of assignments in Vallejo, including working with federal task forces from the Drug Enforcement Administration and FBI. He was also credited with bringing a regional program to Vallejo to fight human trafficking. The program, ReportJohn.org, allows people to report suspected sexual exploitation and human trafficking by reporting vehicles that have been seen in areas with high instances of sexual exploitation.
He is fluent in Spanish and earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice from California State University, Sacramento.
“Serving as Chief of Police in a city as vibrant and diverse as Napa is both an honor and a responsibility I take very seriously,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “I look forward to continue to work alongside our dedicated officers and community partners to enhance safety, trust, and transparency across all neighborhoods.”