Willits Police Chief Fabian Lizarraga confirmed with us today that he has submitted a letter of resignation and will officially be out of the job on September 7, 2023.
Chief Lizarraga has been the head of the Willits Police Department since May 2021. Before that, he served as the Fort Bragg Police Chief between 2015 and 2020. Prior to serving in Mendocino County, he was a member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 37 years. In total, he had a career of over forty years in law enforcement.
Chief Lizarraga told us he has some “R&R” in his future adding that he is “done with law enforcement and working for city governments.”
We asked Willits City Manager Brian Bender what the plan is going forward to hire a new police chief. He told us, “The City cannot comment regarding a personnel matter.”
Wow , thrilling article
Is there more to this story or is he just done cause he’s been in law enforcement for so long? I really think willits pd needs some help. There is no doubt good officers but why can’t we keep a police chief?? It’s not like it’s some big city with hundreds or thousands of officers. Makes we wonder.
There’s a history of corruption in the Department, But it makes one wonder if it goes further because they keep going through Police Chiefs..
Exactly. It’s been awhile since we had one for more than a couple years! It’s time to do an internal investigation.
Sounds like Chief Lizarraga wants to retire and try some R and R. Nothing wrong with that after 40 plus years on the job.
Thanks Chief for your service to our community. You have done a great job. Enjoy your future endeavors.
It takes a lot of courage to be in the same line of work for forty years. Let alone having power for most of your career.