City of Salinas restarts search for new police chief

SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV)- The City of Salinas are now back at square one in the search for a new police chief.

Interim City Manager Jim Pia announced that the City will restart their search for a permanent police chief after saying that the initial search came without a selection.

KION previously reported that current Interim Vallejo Police Chief Jason Ta was a finalist for the position.

According to a Bay Area News outlet Open Vallejo, Ta was expected to resign from his position and become the new police chief in Salinas.

However in the Open Vallejo report, Ta allegedly arrived to a crime scene intoxicated and with "slurred speech."

Once we appointed our Assistant Police Chief at the end of January, we turned our focus on the search process for the Police Chief. We have been diligently going through the required processing that Interim City Manager Pia believed could lead us to selecting a Chief. At this time, however, the initial search has concluded without a selection. As a result, the City of Salinas will soon begin a new recruitment.

City of Salinas said in a statement.

Commander John Murray was promoted to Assistant Chief at the end of January. Murray is currently serving as acting police chief.

This latest development as the City is still searching for a permanent City Manager after Steve Carrigan was removed by Salinas City Council from his position in October 2023.