The city of Fort Bragg has named Interim Police Chief Eric Swift as its new police chief, City Manager Isaac Whippy last week said.
Swift had been serving as interim chief since September, taking over for Neil Cevanka, who retired after nearly 20 years in law enforcement, three of them in Fort Bragg.
Before joining the Fort Bragg Police Department, Swift served as a major with the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia. Prior to his time in the Southeast, he was a lieutenant with the Napa County Sheriff’s Office and spent a decade with the Santa Rosa Police Department.
The city cited Swift’s experience in both patrol and administration, along with his support for transparency and community-based policing, as key reasons for his selection.
During his brief tenure as interim chief, Swift has begun implementing new transparency practices, including launching an online portal that allows residents to see how the city’s network of Flock cameras is being used to fight crime.
Whippy said building community trust was a core factor in the decision.
“Chief Swift understands that our department has many strengths and successes to build on, while also being honest about the areas where we must improve,” Whippy said. “I am confident that under his leadership, the Fort Bragg Police Department will continue to strengthen relationships, support our officers and professional staff, modernize its practices, and deliver fair and professional public safety services to everyone in our community.”
Swift called the appointment humbling.
“This is an honor I do not take lightly,” he said. “My focus is on building a safer, stronger future for our community together.”