The city of Novato has named Martinez Police Capt. Beth Johnson as its next chief of police, the first woman to be appointed to chief, the city announced on Wednesday.
The city said Johnson was chosen after a national search for her skills as a “proven leader” and collaborative approach to policing.
Johnson is a Bay Area native who grew up in Lafayette and has been in law enforcement for 28 years, going from dispatcher in Arcata on up to acting police chief in Martinez. She has a Master’s in business administration with a concentration in public administration, a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice management, and is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute at Drucker’s School of Management, Claremont Graduate University and the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.
The new chief said she felt “fortunate and humbled” to have been chosen and that she hopes to focus on a culture of inclusion within the department but also the greater community.
Johnson is a mother of four and her husband is a lieutenant with the Benicia Police Department, the city of Novato said.
She will replace former Chief Matthew McCaffrey, who retired last December. Her first day will be July 5 and she will earn an annual salary of $226,596, the city said.
14 comments
Anytime you mention “first”, female, minority etc…. it diminishes their achievement and looks like a diversity hire.
I’m guessing that for a female to rise to that level in that line of work must be extremely difficult. I bet she has to be even better at her job then a man with equal skills. They’ve had female fire chiefs in the Bay Area so I doubt this is a diversity hire for those reasons.
@ scheme
You need to work on your reading comprehension.
“Better than a man with equal skills” not in this day and age. All they have to do is apply. Just reality in this day and age.
Hmmm, who would I rather help me breaking up a bar fight??? A female officer or a male officer??? Last I checked the transgenders were destroying women sport records. Food for thought.
Men and women both have their strengths, that’s what makes us both awesome.
Schmee, The Bay Area female fire chiefs for the most part have been political check the box afirmative action appointments(been there seen it first hand).
Great. She can take her current city’s homeless problem with her and really become inclusive over there. Best of luck!
Good for her…hope she does a great job.
Affirmative action at work. This is a big score for the city. Always good to see someone get promoted due to their gender or race. Instead of their body of work.
Johnson is a Bay Area native who grew up in Lafayette and has been in law enforcement for 28 years.
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Go Beth! Go!
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She pulled me over once in WC to note that one of my ratchet straps had come loose. Very courteous and professional.
Agreed, I wished the mainstream articles had not skipped over that she was with Walnut Creek PD for nearly 21 years. She rose through the ranks here from officer, sergeant, to lieutenant before joining Martinez PD as a captain.
I grew up in Novato in the early 1950s. We had one cop and he had nothing to do but sit in his parked car. Times have changed.
Was this before donuts were invented?
Appears to have the education, training, and experience.
Doesn’t seem to be any really negative press.
The Novato POA was involved in the process (sidenote: you know the POA was talking with the POA’s of her former departments).
I expect she will do well and move on (ladder climber) in 3 – 5 years….
Congratulations to Chief Johnson.
I heard that city doesn’t allow Mexican gangs within their city limits. It’s right there in their name. No Vato.
Ohhhhhhh
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