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A new sheriff in Napa County
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CommentDoug Koford continues his duties as American Canyon's police chief as he prepares himself to become the county's new sheriff.
Koford, 53, was elected in March to succeed Gary Simpson, who decided not to seek re-election after close to 20 years in office. Koford is scheduled to take office Jan. 8.
Koford, 53, was elected in March to succeed Gary Simpson, who decided not to seek re-election after close to 20 years in office. Koford is scheduled to take office Jan. 8.
Koford will transition into his new position beginning Oct. 1, the sheriff-elect and Simpson said in separate interviews this week.
As the new sheriff, Koford will oversee close to 100 deputies and manage a $17 million annual budget.
As the new sheriff, Koford will oversee close to 100 deputies and manage a $17 million annual budget.
"I have no doubt that he will do an excellent job," said Simpson, Napa County's sheriff since 1987.
Simpson, who endorsed Koford in the uncontested election, said he may run next summer for supervisor, in the 5th District. Harold Moskowite's district includes American Canyon.
Simpson, who endorsed Koford in the uncontested election, said he may run next summer for supervisor, in the 5th District. Harold Moskowite's district includes American Canyon.
American Canyon, like Yountville, contracts with the sheriff's department for police services.
Koford, who joined the sheriff's department in 1975, right after his graduation from CSU Sacramento, has served as American Canyon police chief for about five years.
While Koford, American Canyon's first police chief, reports to the City Council, he is also a captain with the sheriff's department.
Koford said a new American Canyon police chief will be selected after the new city manager is hired. The American Canyon police department, while composed of sheriff's personell, has its own chain of command.
Interim City Manager Dayle Keller on Friday said the selection of the new city manager could be announced next week. Koford said the new chief will be in place in three to four weeks.
"I would hope that (the new police chief) is selected no later than late August," Koford said.
Simpson said he expects the sheriff's department will submit a list with four police chief candidates to American Canyon -- all lieutenants at the sheriff's department.
American Canyon will make the final decision, Koford and Simpson stressed.
"That is their chief," Koford said.
American Canyon City Councilman Ben Anderson trusts Koford will help the city find a new police chief.
"I'm pretty sure Chief Koford will make sure we will get one of the better ones," he said of the sheriff's deputies who will apply for the job.
He and Vice Mayor Leon Garcia and others praised Koford's work in American Canyon.
"He's been a great chief down here," Anderson said, adding Koford has a very good rapport with the community.
Koford, who is named after Douglas, the company that built the C-47 plane his late father flew during World War II, plans to take some time off in September, when his 23-year-old son, Eric, a cadet with the Vallejo Police Department, gets married.
He and wife Holly, also have two grown daughters, Kelly and Katie.
Until then, Koford will spend most of his days in American Canyon.
Because of the city's growth, Koford has requested the city hire four new officers and an administrative clerk over the next 12 months.
The police department, which operates on a $3.6 million budget this year, now includes 18 officers and two police technicians.
He will be at his new desk at the sheriff's department office on Airport Road when American Canyon's new public safety complex opens east of Highway 29.
The complex, now under construction, will house American Canyon's police and fire departments.
Koford, who joined the sheriff's department in 1975, right after his graduation from CSU Sacramento, has served as American Canyon police chief for about five years.
While Koford, American Canyon's first police chief, reports to the City Council, he is also a captain with the sheriff's department.
Koford said a new American Canyon police chief will be selected after the new city manager is hired. The American Canyon police department, while composed of sheriff's personell, has its own chain of command.
Interim City Manager Dayle Keller on Friday said the selection of the new city manager could be announced next week. Koford said the new chief will be in place in three to four weeks.
"I would hope that (the new police chief) is selected no later than late August," Koford said.
Simpson said he expects the sheriff's department will submit a list with four police chief candidates to American Canyon -- all lieutenants at the sheriff's department.
American Canyon will make the final decision, Koford and Simpson stressed.
"That is their chief," Koford said.
American Canyon City Councilman Ben Anderson trusts Koford will help the city find a new police chief.
"I'm pretty sure Chief Koford will make sure we will get one of the better ones," he said of the sheriff's deputies who will apply for the job.
He and Vice Mayor Leon Garcia and others praised Koford's work in American Canyon.
"He's been a great chief down here," Anderson said, adding Koford has a very good rapport with the community.
Koford, who is named after Douglas, the company that built the C-47 plane his late father flew during World War II, plans to take some time off in September, when his 23-year-old son, Eric, a cadet with the Vallejo Police Department, gets married.
He and wife Holly, also have two grown daughters, Kelly and Katie.
Until then, Koford will spend most of his days in American Canyon.
Because of the city's growth, Koford has requested the city hire four new officers and an administrative clerk over the next 12 months.
The police department, which operates on a $3.6 million budget this year, now includes 18 officers and two police technicians.
He will be at his new desk at the sheriff's department office on Airport Road when American Canyon's new public safety complex opens east of Highway 29.
The complex, now under construction, will house American Canyon's police and fire departments.
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