The following is a press release issued by the City of Fort Bragg:
The City of Fort Bragg is pleased to announce that Neil Cervenka has been offered and has
accepted the position of Police Chief following the retirement this week of Interim Police Chief John Naulty. His first day on the job will be July 25, 2022.
Neil Cervenka, 47, was raised in Chilton, Wisconsin and joined the United States Air Force
straight out of high school where he was assigned to Security Police. He provided security for nuclear missiles at Malstrom AFB, Montana, then flightline security at Osan Airbase in South Korea, and finally served at Travis AFB in California. During his time at Travis AFB, Cervenka was deployed to Turkey in support of Operation Northern Watch. After five years of active duty service, he moved to the USAF Reserves. He was later deployed to Egypt and Germany, and in October 2001, was recalled to active duty in support of Operation Noble Eagle following the 9/11 attacks. He left the Reserves in November 2002 as a Technical Sergeant.
Cervenka met his wife, Kellie, in Napa in 1998. While living there, he attended the Napa Valley Regional Criminal Justice Training Center police academy and upon graduation, was hired by Turlock Police Department in May of 2000 where he has spent the last 22 years. During his time at the Turlock PD, he served as Field Training Officer, Sergeant, Lieutenant, SWAT Commander, Investigations Lieutenant, and Acting Division Captain, among many other positions.
Chief Cervenka serves as the Treasurer on the Executive Board of Directors for the California Peace Officers Association and participates on several charity boards of directors, most of which serve underprivileged or at-risk kids.
Kellie and Neil have two children, a daughter Samantha, 23, who is finishing her degree in Legal Studies, and a son Alex, 19, currently attending Northwest Lineman College. Neil is a marathon runner and has even completed a 45-mile run in full gear. He enjoys landscape photography and can’t wait to explore all the beauty in and around Fort Bragg, which he
describes as one of his favorite places in the world.
“It is an incredible honor to be trusted to serve the Fort Bragg community as your Chief of
Police,” Neil says. The Mayor and all the members of the Fort Bragg City Council hope our
residents will get to know the new Chief and welcome him and his family into the community.
Questions regarding this information should be directed to Mayor Bernie Norvell, 707-961-2823 ext. 145
Good Luck Chief