07 Jan Antioch Hires Former Interim Police Chief to Take Over for Retiring Interim Chief

(Harika Maddala/Bay City News/Catchlight Local)

By Tony Hicks
Bay City News

The city of Antioch on Tuesday announced Joe Vigil is its new interim police chief, succeeding Brian Addington, who is retiring.
City Manager Bessie Marie Scott said in a statement that she has confidence in Vigil’s leadership.

“Chief Vigil has dedicated his life to serving the residents of Antioch,” Scott said. “He’s a proven leader who will continue championing our reforms addressing violence reduction, community engagement, and strengthening our police ranks.”

Vigil brings 25 years of law enforcement experience, including service with the Sacramento, Richmond and Antioch police departments.

Vigil served as acting chief from August 2023 to February 2024. He also managed the department’s support services bureau as captain.

He completed the state’s POST (Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training) Command College and earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from California State University Long Beach.

While Vigil steps into the role, the city said it will continue its nationwide search for a permanent police chief. Addington will remain available in a support capacity.

Former Chief Steven Ford announced his retirement in July 2023 in the middle of a racist text message scandal involving dozens of discriminatory text messages circulating among Antioch police officers between September 2019 and January 2022. The scandal was part of federal, state and county investigations involving at least 10 Antioch and Pittsburg police officers indicted by federal prosecutors on charges alleging improper use of weapons and a police dog on suspects, civil rights violations, falsifying records, wire fraud, obstruction of justice, turning off body cameras, selling steroids, and paying individuals to take college classes for officers.

The U.S. Department of Justice reached an agreement last week with the city, which agreed to have federal authorities oversee a variety of changes within the department for five years.

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