Chief Ian Schmutzler

Chief Ian Schmutzler was born at Travis Air Force Base and raised here in Solano County, with a few years in England and North Dakota as a toddler while his father served in the US Air Force.  Ian graduated from Fairfield High School in 1992 and attended California State University, Sacramento, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration in 1997 and a Master of Science degree in the same field of study in 2004.

 Chief Schmutzler began his career in law enforcement in 1997 as a police officer in the City of Oakland, California.  After spending three years at Oakland PD, Ian was hired by the Vacaville Police Department in 2000.  After two years as an officer in Vacaville, he became a field training officer (FTO) and moved to the Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) as a detective in 2003.  During this period of time, Chief Schmutzler also joined the Critical Incident Negotiation Team (CINT) as a hostage negotiator and an instructor on the Defensive Tactics/Arrest & Control Team (D-Tac/ArCon).

 In 2006, Ian was promoted to the rank of sergeant and began supervising various teams assigned to the Patrol Division.  Ian also began supervising the D-Tac/ArCon and CINT teams, as well as the Mobile Field Force team and the FTO Program.  Ian was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2011 and oversaw the Field Operations Division (patrol) until his promotion to the rank of captain in 2014.  In January of 2022, Ian was selected by City Manager Aaron Busch to be the 15^th Chief of Police for the City of Vacaville.

 Ian is a member of the California Police Chiefs Association and has been on the CPCA Law & Legislation Committee for 10 years.  Chief Schmutzler is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, Class 273, and the POST Command College, Class 59, where Ian’s Futures Portfolio Project article was selected and appeared in the Dec., 2017 issue of the International Association of Police Chief’s Magazine.

CAPTAIN CHRIS POLEN

 Chris was raised in the City of Vacaville and graduated from Will C. Wood High School in 1994.

Chris began his career in law enforcement as a police officer with the City of Suisun City Police Department in 1998. Chris returned to his hometown, Vacaville in 2000 and began working at the Vacaville Police Department.

Chris has worked as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, and as a Detective for the Investigative Services Section. In 2009, Chris was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and has worked various specialties throughout his tenure.  He supervised the Hostage Negotiations Team, Field Training Officer Program, Special Victims Unit, Training, and Internal Affairs.  In 2016, Chris was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he had oversight for the Investigative Services Division which includes the Special Victims Unit, Investigative Services Section, VICE, Gang Enforcement Team, Property and Evidence and Criminal Intelligence.  Chris also provides oversight for the Hiring and Recruitment team.    

Chris promoted to Captain in January of 2022.  He currently holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.com

CAPTAIN DAVE KELLIS

Dave was raised in the City of Vacaville, and began his career with the Vacaville Police Department in 1998. During his career Dave has served the community as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Dual Sport Motorcycle Officer, Investigative Services Section Detective, and Special Victims Unit Detective.

Dave promoted to Sergeant in 2014 and was assigned as a Patrol Sergeant. In 2016 Dave became the supervisor of the newly formed Community Response Unit. CRU focuses on issued related to homelessness and quality of life issues. In 2018 Dave was assigned to the department’s Office of Professional Standards.  He was promoted to Lieutenant in August 2019.

Dave was promoted to Captain in March 2022.  He currently holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Management and a Master's degree degree in Public Administration.

LIEUTENANT BRYAN LARSEN

Bryan was raised in Vacaville, and began his career with the Vacaville Police Department in 2001.  He has served the community as a Patrol Officer, Suppression Team Detective, Investigative Services Section Detective and Field Training Officer.  Additionally, Bryan has served as a member of the SWAT Team, Honor Guard and Mobile Field Force.

Bryan promoted to Sergeant in 2016, where he was assigned as a patrol supervisor.  As a sergeant he supervised the Field Training Program, the Department's Range and Firearms Training Program and was a Mobile Field Force Team Leader.  In 2018 he was selected as the supervisor for the VICE unit.  He was promoted to Lieutenant in January 2020.

Bryan Holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Management and a Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership.

LIEUTENANT KATIE CARDONA

Katie was raised in the City of Vacaville and graduated from Vacaville High School in 2002.

 Katie began her career in law enforcement as a police officer with the City of Antioch in 2007.  She returned to her hometown in 2015 and began working for the Vacaville Police Department.  During her career, Katie has been assigned as a Detective of violent crimes, sexual assault, crimes against children and gang investigations.  She has served as a patrol officer, Field Training Officer, and Master Police Officer.

 Katie was promoted to Sergeant in 2019, assigned as a patrol supervisor. Additionally, she supervised the Field Training Program, Social Media Team, and served as the Public Information Officer.  In 2021, she was assigned as the Sergeant of the Community Response Unit. 

Katie was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in March, 2022.  She currently serves as a patrol Watch Commander.  She also oversees the Hiring and Recruitment Team.

Katie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the California State University, Sacramento.

LIEUTENANT FRANK PIRO

Frank was raised in the City of Vacaville and graduated from Vacaville High School in 2004.  He was sworn in as a Police Officer with the Vacaville Police Department in 2006.

 During his career, Frank has been assigned to a variety of specialized teams to include K9, SWAT, Defensive Tactics, Fitness, and Social Media Team.  He has served as a Public Information Officer and has presented to the California Police Chief’s Association on the value of community engagement and the use of social media platforms by law enforcement. 

In 2018, Frank promoted to Sergeant and was assigned to the Patrol Division.  Shortly after, he was tasked with creating and supervising the Department’s Crime Impact Team which focused on violent crime and acts of gang violence within the community.  In 2021, he was assigned to the department’s Traffic Unit.

Frank was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in September of 2022 and was assigned to the Field Operations Division.  In this role, he manages assignments in Patrol, Traffic, Defensive Tactics, Social Media and Public Information Officer.

 Frank holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management and is completing his Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.

LIEUTENANT DUSTIN WILLIS

Dustin began his career in law enforcement in 2006 as a police officer with the city of Torrance, CA. In 2008, Dustin moved his family north and began working for the Vacaville Police Department.

During his career Dustin has served as a patrol officer, Master Police Officer, Gang Enforcement Team officer, Narcotics Enforcement Team detective, VICE detective and SWAT team member.

In 2020, Dustin was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and assigned to the patrol division. In 2021, Dustin was reassigned to supervise the department’s Crime Impact Team. Additionally, while a Sergeant, Dustin supervised the Field Training Program and the department’s SWAT team.

Dustin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in October of 2022 and assigned to the Field Operations Division as a patrol Watch Commander. In addition to his Watch Commander duties Dustin oversees the department’s K9 program, the Critical Incident Negotiation Team (CINT), and the SWAT team.

Dustin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the California State University of Long Beach. 

LIEUTENANT CHRIS LECHUGA

Chris was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated from Catholic High School in 1992 and attended Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers!) In 1995, Chris began his law enforcement career with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office (LA) where he served for as a Corrections Deputy, Uniform Patrol Deputy, and Investigations Bureau Detective. In December of 2007, Chris relocated to Northern California and joined the Vacaville Police Department. During his career with the Vacaville Police Department, Chris has served as a Patrol Officer/Corporal, Investigative Services Detective, Critical Incident Negotiation Team (CINT), and P.O.S.T. Academy Instructor.

Chris was promoted to Sergeant in 2020, where he was assigned as a patrol supervisor. In addition to his patrol responsibilities, Chris supervised the Field Training Program, Critical Incident Negotiation Team, and Peer Support Team. In 2022, Chris was selected as the Investigative Services Section supervisor. He was promoted to Lieutenant in April 2023. Chris is assigned to the Field Operations Division as Watch Command and provides additional oversight for the Community Response Unit, Youth Services Section, Reserve Program and Wellness Program.

Chris holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Management.

LIEUTENANT AARON POTTER

Aaron began his law enforcement career with the Albany Police Department in 2003 where he worked for a little over 8 years. In 2012 he had two young children and decided he wanted to be closer to home, and out of the bay area. That year he moved to the Napa County Sheriff’s Office.

After approximately 2 years with the Napa County Sheriff, he realized the deputy life wasn’t his calling.  He sought to get back to policing in a city environment and work at a place where he had a vested interest in the community.  Living in Vacaville at the time, he could think of no other place where his my interests were more vested than where he and his wife were choosing to raise their family. In 2014, joined the Vacaville Police Department.

Throughout his career Lt. Potter has held several different assignments to include field training officer, detective, corporal, firearms instructor, range master, force options instructor, and has overseen or managed numerous administrative and technology driven projects.  Aaron promoted to Lieutenant in 2023.

LIEUTENANT ROB MYERS

Rob was born and raised in Yuma, Arizona where he lived until enlisting in the United States Air Force after High School. After six years in the service, Travis AFB was his 4^th and final duty station. After separating from the Air Force in 2007, Rob attended the Contra Costa Sheriff Police Academy and then worked for the Pittsburg Police Department until 2017, when he joined the Vacaville Police Department.

During his career, Rob has held several specialized positions within the police department including Field Training Officer, K9 Handler, Detective, and patrol Corporal. Rob was promoted to the rank of Sgt. in 2022 and was assigned to the patrol division as a supervisor until being assigned as the Youth Services supervisor.

In 2024, Rob promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and once again went back to patrol where he serves as a watch commander.

Rob holds a Bachelor of Science in Police Administration and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Emergency and Disaster Management. 

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER MELISSA COSTIGAN

Melissa was raised in the City of Vacaville and graduated from Vacaville High School in 1992.  She began her career in law enforcement as a dispatcher with the City Suisun City Police department in 1997.  Melissa returned to her hometown of Vacaville in 1998 and began working at the Vacaville Police Department.

Melissa has served the community as a Dispatcher, Communications Training Officer and Telecommunications Emergency Response Taskforce Team member.   She was promoted to the Dispatch Supervisor position in 1995.  Supervising operations on her shift, as well as Emergency Medical Dispatch Quality Assurance, and managing and producing the 24/7 operations schedule.

Melissa was promoted to Communications Manager in 2018, and is responsible for all operations in the center, policy and procedure development and compliance, recruitment and hiring, training and certification, budget and personnel management.  The center serves as the PSAP, Public Safety Answering Point, answering and processing all 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls in the City of Vacaville, as well Police, Fire Radio operations. She also manages multiple information technology systems including: computer aided dispatching software, Next Gen 911 phone system, Text to 9-1-1, Digital Regional Motorola Radio System, and the Capital Improvement Project, Communications Center expansion.  Additionally Melissa serves as the 9-1-1 Custodian of Records and the back up Agency CLETS, California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System Coordinator.

Melissa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Response Management.

CLINICAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR PAULA LEDOUX-CHRISTISON