Vacaville police chief announces retirement at end of the year

(BCN) -- Vacaville Police Chief Ian Schmutzler has announced he is retiring at the end of the year.

Schmutzler's retirement effective Dec. 31 will end his 20-plus years with the Vacaville Police Department, including his tenure as chief since January 2022.

"Serving as the chief of police has been the greatest honor of my career," the chief said in a statement posted on the department's social media. "I am deeply grateful to my colleagues, our city leaders, and the Vacaville community for their trust and support."

Schmutzler started his law enforcement career in 1997 with the Oakland Police Department before joining the Vacaville police force in 2000 and worked in roles such as field training officer, detective and commander of the field operations and support bureaus before becoming the police chief in 2022.

"Ian Schmutzler has been an exceptional leader who has demonstrated a steadfast dedication to public safety, community engagement, and progressive policing," City Manager Aaron Busch said in the social media post. "His efforts will leave a lasting mark on our community, and we wish him the very best in his well-deserved retirement."

Busch will oversee the process of selecting the city's next police chief in the coming months.

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