Antioch

Vigil Named Acting Antioch Police Chief

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Photo by Antioch Police

ANTIOCH — A high-ranking officer on Antioch’s police force will assume temporary leadership of the department following the retirement of the City’s Police Chief this week.  Acting Captain Joseph Vigil has been named Acting Chief effective Aug. 12, said Acting City Manager Kwame Reed on Monday.

Chief of Police Steven Ford announced last month that he will be retiring. His last day is Friday.

Vigil was one of four internal candidates Reed interviewed for the top job.

“He’s done a lot in his career,” said Reed, noting that Vigil earned a master’s degree in emergency service administration from California State University, Long Beach.

In December, Vigil also began attending the California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training’s Command College, a 14-month, master’s level program that equips police who are leaders in their departments with the skills and strategies needed to recognize emerging social, political, and other issues that could affect law enforcement.

Vigil began his 23-year career in law enforcement with the Sacramento Police Department and then served as a Sergeant with the Richmond Police Department for nearly 11 years.

He joined Antioch’s police force in 2020, and as an Acting Captain he oversees patrol teams, investigations, the training of newly hired officers, and monitors the department’s use of body cameras among other duties.

Reed now will launch the search for an Interim Police Chief and once he has made that hire, Vigil will return to his previous position.

After that, there will be a recruitment for a permanent Police Chief. Although he can’t predict how long the search will take, Reed said he looks forward to working with both the City Council and the Antioch community to identify the qualities that are most important for that person to have.

He added that he will be working with Chief Ford and Acting Chief Vigil this week to create a smooth transition between administrations.

Information released by City of Antioch

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7 comments

No Interference From the “King” 08/07/2023 - 6:45 pm
I hope he’s not a yes man and stands up to “King Thorpe” and his attempts to run the department. Thorpe needs to stay in his lane and allow the personnel trained as officers do their jobs.
Bill Moon 08/07/2023 - 6:53 pm
Is this police chief by default? In what world does an acting police captain become an acting police chief? Does this mean Morefield, who is more qualified, was passed over? Sham of a city
Street Sweeper 08/07/2023 - 7:16 pm
Let's be honest, any officer willing to still work for the City of Antioch should be praised and rewarded. Unfortunatley, any Chief under this Mayor or City Council is doomed for disaster. The people of Antioch can change all this if they spoke up as one, good people of that City still have the upper hand in voice, but the tide is changing quickly.
Robert C. 08/08/2023 - 5:29 am
So they have just named an "acting" police chief. Now they propose to conduct a "search" for an "interim" police chief only to turn right around and follow that up with a "recruitment" for a "permanent" police chief. In what universe does that makes sense?
It Doesn’t 08/08/2023 - 11:08 am
Makes sense to those living in Circusville.
Lamar Sucks DeezNutz 08/08/2023 - 9:35 pm
Lamar Thorpe and his gang have single handedly ruined Antioch. A nice suburban town turned into a dystopian nightmare by a thug named Lamar. Recall Lamar and save Antioch!
Tu Madre 08/09/2023 - 10:05 am
Antioch was ruined a longtime ago by greedy property owners who took advantage of section 8, rented out their properties to individuals who cared less for preserving neighborhoods and respecting community quality of life. Then the same greedy bastards ran for city offices to ensure their property rentals stay lucrative. Joy Motts and other realtors are to blame.

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