City of Goleta Welcomes New Chief of Police

GOLETA, Calif. – The city of Goleta welcomes Frank Vasquez as its new chief of police.

Below is a press release regarding the announcement:

The City of Goleta is pleased to introduce its new Chief of Police Services. Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Lt. Frank Vasquez has assumed the new assignment and brings more than 27 years of law enforcement experience to the position. In this role, Lt. Vasquez will oversee the Goleta Police Department, which includes a Motor Traffic Unit and two Community Resource Deputies, as well as the unincorporated areas of the Goleta Valley.

Goleta City Manager Robert Nisbet said, “This is an important position for the city and we are pleased to have such an experienced and dedicated law enforcement professional who can help maintain a safe community and continue to provide the high level of service our residents expect.”

Lt. Vasquez said, “I am excited to be here and begin this important new assignment. I know that public safety is of the utmost importance to the community and it is an honor for me to serve Goleta in this incredible leadership position.”

Lt. Vasquez was born in Los Angeles and raised in Southern California. He began his career in the United States Air Force, where he rose to the rank of Sergeant for eight years. This experience allowed him to travel the world and work as a dog handler. For the past 19 years, he has served with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, where he has served in various assignments, most recently as Bureau Lieutenant for the Northern Stations Patrol. His previous assignments include patrols in Goleta, Central Stations, and Santa Maria. He has also supervised the county-wide Criminal Investigations and Special Investigations Bureaus and has served on various collateral and specialty assignments within the Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Vasquez earned a bachelor’s degree in organizational management and leadership from the University of La Verne and is nearing completion of his master’s degree.

If you would like to meet Lt. Vasquez in person or watch virtually, he will be formally introduced on August 20^e Goleta City Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. It will also be an opportunity to thank Lt. Rich Brittingham who was our chief for four years and is now the chief of police in Carpinteria.

We hope to see you on August 20th^e to help us give Lt. Vasquez a warm welcome and to show our appreciation to Lt. Brittingham.

City of Goleta