Jonathan Arguello

Police Chief Jonathan Arguello became the City’s eleventh police chief on April 11, 2024, when he was appointed to lead the Newark Police Department.

Chief Arguello began serving the Newark community when he joined the Newark Police Department as a Police Cadet in 1995. His passion for the law enforcement profession was recognized the following year when he was selected as a Police Officer. As an officer, he served in various roles, including as a Field Training Officer and as a Detective on the regional Southern Alameda County Narcotics Enforcement Team. Chief Arguello has been a department instructor on various subjects and dedicated nine years as a member and Team Leader on the department’s SWAT team.

Throughout his career, Chief Arguello has demonstrated his commitment to fostering organizational innovation and progress. Promoted to Police Sergeant in 2007, he served in various capacities until 2014, including overseeing the Traffic Unit, Administrative Support Services, and Special Enforcement Team Sergeant. He was instrumental in leading the group that brought a Team Policing deployment model and the formation of the City of Newark’s first joint SWAT team with the City of Union City. He also led several projects to secure progressive equipment and technology, such as the City of Newark’s first GPS trackers, tactical robots, and rescue vehicle.

From 2014 through 2017, he served as a Police Lieutenant. During that time, he managed many aspects of the department’s field operations and specialty programs, including Detectives and Major Crimes, as well as the Explorer, Volunteer, Honor Guard, and School Resource Officer programs. He championed and supported staff’s resourcefulness and creativity in integrating civilian professional team members to expand and increase the capabilities of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and Criminal Evidence Response Team programs and managed the implementation of the department’s first body-worn cameras.

In June 2017, he was appointed as Police Captain. During his tenure as a Captain, he had an opportunity to command both divisions and manage all aspects of the department. Chief Arguello played a vital role in developing and implementing the Community Engagement Program and has been devoted to expanding the department’s multi-pronged Employee Wellness Program. He has fostered innovation to address the national and regional hiring climate by leading a Recruitment Team comprised of department and City stakeholders, resulting in highly effective initiatives.

Chief Arguello has served as an integral planning team member, facilitating the formation of the Department’s Action Plans. He has helped secure state funding for the advancement of various technology initiatives, including the City’s Automated License Plate Reader Camera and Crime Analyst programs. He recently launched the Newark Police Department’s Strategic Policing Program, which involves integrating new technology programs with data from the department’s Crime Analyst and community input received through the Community Engagement Manager to address developing crime trends and quality of life concerns.

Chief Arguello has received numerous awards, including the department’s Silver Award on five occasions, as well as other commendations from the department and outside organizations for his work and management of critical incidents. His continued dedication to the betterment of professionalism in law enforcement has led his peers to elect him as President of the Newark Police Association and later the Newark Police Management Association. He continues to fulfill this commitment to advancing the profession through service in various professional bodies at the local, county, and state levels.

Chief Arguello is a 2012 California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute graduate and completed the California POST Management program through Humboldt State. He holds two associate degrees from Ohlone College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management. Chief Arguello has completed considerable coursework toward a Master of Business Administration from California State University East Bay.  He has earned a Graduate Studies Certificate in Criminal Justice Education and is nearing completion of a Master of Public Safety from the University of Virginia. Chief Arguello is a 2019 graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police Executives at Boston University. In 2020, he completed the Executive Development Certification Program through the California Police Chiefs Association. He is a 2023 graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy at Quantico, Virginia.

When away from the police department, Chief Arguello enjoys uncovering new foodie spots and running to burn off extra calories. Most of all, he loves spending time with his wife and two children.

Police Chief Jonathan Arguello can be contacted at jonathan.arguello@newarkca.gov or (510) 578-4375.