The Winters Police Chief goes to the Antioch Police Department

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Chief John P. Miller has resigned from the Winters Police Department and has now accepted a position with the Antioch Police Department.

Sources said Miller will be hired as police captain.

No further details were released, but the following message was posted Friday afternoon:

Dear Winters community,

It is with mixed emotions that I am writing to inform you that after over eight years as your Chief of Police, I will be resigning to accept a position with the Police Department, effective Sunday, October 13, 2024 Antioch Police Department. I truly love and care about this community, the Winters Police Department and the men and women of the Winters Police Department. However, I was given the opportunity to help another agency in need and make a difference in this community, and that’s why I became a police officer in the first place: to make a difference.

On July 25, 2016, I became Chief of Police for the Winters Police Department. Over the last eight years, we have built a professional police department that any city would be proud of, especially given our limited resources. Through ingenuity and diligence, we have implemented new technologies and programs to integrate the Winters Police Department into 21st century policing, including body-worn cameras, car cameras, less-lethal alternatives and computerized records management software.

We were the first law enforcement agency in Yolo County to carry naloxone (Narcan) and an automated external defibrillator (AED) in every patrol vehicle. Both were used here in Winters to save many lives. We have introduced new community outreach programs such as our highly successful Cadet program, Coffee/Hamburger/Taco/Otter Pop with the Cops events, Movie with the Night Shift, Q&A with the High School Cops, Bike Patrol and a Variety of other other programs. We have also increased and focused our internal and external training to enable our officers and professionals to stay current and perform at their best in a rapidly evolving environment. This includes being included as one of Georgetown Law agencies’ first Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) projects in California.

I want to thank you all for your support of your Winters Police Department and for the true friendships that have formed over my eight years. Thank you to the City Council and city managers for trusting me to lead your police department. Thank you to the Sergeants, Officers, CSOs, Cadets, VIPS, TAGS and Chaplains who do the day-to-day work of providing “Service with Integrity” to this community – and a special thank you to our Police/Fire Management Coordinator (Karla and now). Gail), who keep the wheels of both agencies turning behind the scenes.

Being the Chief of Winter PD was truly the highest honor and highlight of my 30+ year career!

Sincerely, Chief John P. Miller

More about Chief Miller

Chief John P. Miller joined the Winters Police Department in July 2016 and is the tenth police chief to serve the City of Winters since the office of police chief was established by ordinance on December 24, 1937.

Chief Miller was drawn to public service from a young age. His father retired as a captain with the Berkeley Fire Department after 32 years of service, and his mother retired after 25 years as a dispatcher with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department. Chief Miller’s older brother also recently retired as a captain with the San Jose Fire Department after serving there for 28 years, and many of his cousins ​​are nurses and teachers.

Chief Miller began his law enforcement career as a Law Enforcement Explorer (“Cadet”) with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department when he was 14 years old. At 21, he became a reserve and daytime deputy sheriff and worked in detention and patrol.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration with an option in human resources administration and labor relations from California State University, Hayward, he attended the Napa Valley Basic Police Academy. While at the academy, he was hired by the Vacaville Police Department and served there for nearly six years. During this time, he was a K9 handler, SWAT team member, Honor Guard member and Explorer Advisor. He and three other officers were awarded the department’s Medal of Valor in July 1997 for their involvement in a critical incident. This award was presented for the first time in the ministry’s history.

Chief Miller transferred to the Vallejo Police Department in January 2001 where he served for over nine years. In addition to the Patrol Division, he had the opportunity to work in the Community Services Division and the Professional Standards Division. Promoted to corporal and then sergeant, he served as a SWAT team leader, honor guard member, explorer advisor, recruiting team, field training officer and force options instructor, and became a certified instructor in firearms, defensive tactics, impact weapons, chemical warfare agents and less-lethal alternatives like the TASER. In 2008, he was selected as the department’s gunnery master and oversaw all firearms and defensive tactics training for the department. During his time with the Vallejo Police Department, he was awarded the Medal of Merit and the Medal of Good Conduct twice and received the 10851 award for stolen vehicle recovery. He also taught firearms, use of force and gun law at the Napa Valley Police Academy and returned to school where he earned his executive master’s degree in public administration (with honors) from Golden Gate University.

Chief Miller was hired in May 2010 as a police commander with the City of Pacific Grove in Monterey County, where he oversaw all of the department’s field operations, including patrols, special events and training. Additionally, he served as the tactical commander of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Special Response Team (SRU) and had the opportunity to attend the prestigious FBI National Academy, a 10-week leadership training program held at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia .

Chief Miller served with the Pacific Grove Police Department for nearly four years, but was forced to return to the northern San Francisco Bay Area/Sacramento area for family reasons. He transferred to the Fairfield Police Department as a police officer and enjoyed working on the “graveyard patrol” again, especially with new officers and the recently promoted sergeants. In early 2016, a unique opportunity presented itself – the City of Winters was looking for a Police Chief! Chief Miller addressed city employees, business and community leaders and met with Interim Police Chief Joe Kreins. Chief Miller was excited about the opportunity to serve as Chief of Police for the Winters Police Department because he felt he would be able to utilize his experience and training to the fullest in a wonderful and supportive community, and he was honored to be selected as Chief of Police become. Chief Miller has continued his professional training, completing the California Police Chiefs Association’s first-ever Executive Leadership Institute in Drucker and the California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Command College.

Throughout his career, Chief Miller has been supported by his wife and family. Chief Miller has a son and a daughter, both in their early 20s. His son became a Tiger Cub Scout in first grade and Chief Miller was the Cub Scout Cubmaster and his wife was a den leader. Chief Miller later became an Assistant Scout Master and was extremely proud when his son achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. His son is currently attending California State University in Sacramento, where he is studying to become a special education teacher.

Chief Miller’s daughter was in 4-H for over 10 years and Chief Miller and his wife also served as 4-H advisors. His daughter received her 4-H Bronze Star and is currently attending veterinary technician training.

In his free time, Chief Miller enjoys being outdoors. He is an avid hunter and dives for abalone and spearfishing on the northern coast of California. He and his wife are certified divers and have dived in addition to the cold waters of California to warm water destinations such as Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Belize and Hawaii. Chief Miller and his wife also love CrossFit.

When asked why he became a police officer, Chief Miller points to his favorite quote, an excerpt from Theodore Roosevelt’s famous “Citizenship in a Republic” speech: “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the perpetrator could have carried out his actions better. The credit goes to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood; who strives bravely; Who is wrong, who always comes up short, because there is no effort without mistakes and shortcomings; but who actually strives to accomplish the deeds? who knows great enthusiasm, great devotion; who supports a good cause; Who at best knows in the end the triumph of great achievements, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails, although he dares greatly, so that his place will never be with those cold and timid souls who have neither victory nor defeat know .”

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