St. Helena's newest police chief, Benicia Police Sgt. Monty Castillo, said he is ready to take the small Upvalley force and "move forward."

Come May 15, Castillo, 44, will take the reins at a department that fielded harsh criticism over how it handled community relations after an alleged sexual assault last year. Then-Police Chief Robert Wedell left the force in October 2005 after two years on the job, citing personal reasons.

Since then, the city engaged prominent members of the community representing the Chamber of Commerce, former city council and school board members in a five-month process vetting candidates for the post, with an eye toward hiring someone with the right people skills for the job.

Benicia Police Chief Jim Trimble said that's exactly what St. Helena can expect from Castillo.

"He's a great person," Trimble said. "He's a got a great sense of humor. He's respected around here because of who is he is, not just because he's a police sergeant."

The city revealed this week that Castillo was selected for the post.

Castillo carries a master's degree in leadership from St. Mary's College, where he earned his bachelor's degree in management. Since leaving school in 1988, he's spent his entire career at the Benicia Police Department -- in his hometown-- working his way up from a reserve police officer to a police sergeant, a post he's held for two years.

Bert Johansson, St. Helena city manager, said Castillo's people skills were a major reason he was hired. Candidates were questioned more than in past police chief searches because the city divided community members and city officials into separate interview panels.

Bonnie Long, a former St. Helena city manager who represented the St. Helena Chamber of Commerce on the community panel , said Castillo's knowledge and interpersonal skills singled him out.

"I think he's a people person with the education and the background to be able to do the job and fit in well with our community," she said. "He had really done his homework and had a good feeling for St. Helena."

Castillo said he anticipates a smooth transition.

"What attracted me to St. Helena was the similarities of the community (to Benicia) and the outstanding quality of life the communities share," Castillo said. "I like working with the community to maintain that quality of life."

Demographically, Castillo will have to adjust to some differences.

According to the 2000 Census, Benicia has about 27,000 residents, compared to St. Helena's 6,000. While farming grapes in the heart of Napa Valley wine country remains St. Helena's claim to fame, Benicia, near Vallejo, is more sought-after as a safe bayside community. Both cities attract tourists to shop in their downtown areas, but while St. Helena is known for high-end retail, Benicia is known for its antique shops and artistic industrial zone.

The Solano County city has a higher rate of major crimes, including murder, sexual assault and burglary, than does St. Helena.

Castillo said he's got a plan for keeping crime low in St. Helena.

"Because there is more time and there is more community involvement and the department does care, it does fall back on more community policing," he said.

That means educating the community on how to be safe, working with merchants to identify and solve common crime problems and setting up neighborhood and business watches to prevent and report crimes.

Castillo, who will make about $95,000 -- the same salary he makes now -- said the attraction to St. Helena was also about the challenge of the post.

"It's being able to establish that rapport with the community and the department that is the challenge. ... Only because it doesn't happen overnight," he said.

Castillo said he will continue to live in Benicia with his wife and two sons until his youngest son graduates from Benicia High School a year and a half from now. Then it's time to tackle Napa Valley's housing market.

"My wife and I are going to consider relocating once he's graduated and moved onto college," he said. "Relocating is going to be a number one priority for my wife and I."