Police Chief Advisory Board chosen

The Vallejo Police Department’s Chief Advisory Board has been formed, after reviewing 60 candidates and choosing 18, a spokesperson for the department said.

“Working in concert with respected members of our community is an integral to creating transformational change, and I am excited to work with this highly-motivated, diverse group,” said Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams in a statement.

The board has existed with past chiefs, though it is a step in the right direction for a department that has been ordered by the California Department of Justice to reform itself, as well as from community members.

The board will not have any power over “policing” personnel or police-related incidents, but it will be a mouthpiece representing the community so that the chief has a better bridge to the public’s needs and impressions. The group will be able to advise and assist with community engagement and crime reduction efforts, VPD said.

Some issues that the team will be able to address are use of force, mental health response, crime trends and statistics, homelessness, and neighborhood programs.

Williams told the city council that the board consists of a wide swath of residents that represent all demographics in Vallejo, such as age, income, LBGTQ, ethnicity and gender. Members include Jackie Arnold, Diedre Carter, Cerrene Cervantes, Kathleen Conway-Carreti, Valerie Evans, Pedro Gonzalez, Jesse Hake, Hira Kissana, Josette Lacey, Robert Lai, Henry Morris, Mike Nisperos, Rhonda Smith, Carlos Solorzano, Renee Sykes, Garrett Toles, Courtney Willis and Dennis Yen.

The board will meet with the chief every month.