Salinas inching closer to hiring a new police chief, report says

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)- The City of Salinas may be getting closer to hiring a new police chief.

According to Open Vallejo which is a Bay Area publication, Interim Vallejo Police Chief Jason Ta could become the next Salinas Police Chief.

The report says that Ta has accepted the position with Salinas Police and will be stepping down from his role in Vallejo.

Ta has been serving as the interim Police Chief for Vallejo Police since Nov. 2022.

Sophia Rome who is the public information officer for the City of Salinas would not confirm to KION if Ta is the finalist for the position but did say the city is still going through the selection process.

Salinas Interim City Manager Jim Pia told KION that he expects the selection process to last another week or two but would not release any candidates names.

The City of Vallejo told KION that they will not comment on rumors, nor will comment on personnel matters.

KION has reached out to the Vallejo Police Department as well and we are awaiting to hear back.

Salinas Police has been without a permanent police chief since Roberto Filice stepped down from his role in January to take a job with the East Bay Regional Park District.

Current Assistant Police Chief John Murray is currently serving as the acting police chief.