Novato Names New Police Chief

NOVATO, CA – Novato has named Adam McGill as the city’s next chief of police. McGill currently serves as police chief for the town of Truckee.

“As a seasoned leader and with a hands-on approach to community policing, Chief McGill is a natural fit for Novato,” Novato City Manager Regan Candelario said in a statement. “With his emphasis on customer service and teambuilding, and his grasp of the needs of our city and department, I am confident in his ability to lead our police department and to serve our community.”

With a 24-year career in law enforcement, McGill has worked in both large and small departments, promoted through the ranks, and has extensive experience in community relations, crisis communications, emergency preparedness, employee recruitment and retention, and investigations.

For two years, he served as a diplomat and special advisor for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in the U.S. Embassy in Bagdad, Iraq. He served as police chief in the California communities of Newman and Truckee, where he held that position for the last five years.

Among his career achievements, McGill established a collaborative approach to community issues and a commitment to strong police-community relations. He was also recognized by the Truckee-Tahoe Chamber of Commerce for “Excellence in Government” for three consecutive years and served as an executive fellow with the National Police Foundation.

McGill earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration and a master’s degree in emergency services administration from California State University, Long Beach. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and is a member of the board of directors for the California Police Chief’s Association.

“Inclusiveness and collaboration are essential to our city’s public safety efforts,” McGill said. “I am honored and humbled to be working with the talented team at the NPD (Novato Police Department) and the city, our dedicated council, and our engaged community to continue to provide Novatans with the high level of service and responsiveness they deserve, and am committed to regular community conversations on issues important to our quality of life in Novato.”

McGill will be the city’s 10th police chief.

Following a national search to replace Chief Jim Berg, who retired in July after 31 years in the department and four years as police chief, McGill was selected from a pool of 15 candidates.

He will reside in Novato and begins work on Jan. 9 at an annual salary of $179,256.

– Image courtesy of Novato Police Department