The Winters Police Department is set for a leadership change following the announcement that current Chief John Miller will step down and accept a posting with the Antioch Police Department.

“It is with mixed emotions that I write to advise you that, after over eight years as your Chief of Police, I will be stepping down effective Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in order to accept a position with the Antioch Police Department,” Miller stated on the Winters Police Department Facebook page. “I truly love and care for this community, the Winters Police Department, and the men and women of the Winters Police Department; however, I have been offered an opportunity to help another agency in need and make a difference in that community and that is why I became a police officer in the first place: to make a difference.”According to the post, Miller became chief of police in Winters in July 2016.

“In these last eight years, we have built a professional police department that any city would be proud of, especially given our limited resources,” Miller’s post continued. “Through resourcefulness and diligence, we have implemented new technologies and programs to bring the Winters Police Department into 21st Century Policing including body worn cameras, car cameras, less lethal alternatives, and computerized records management software. We were the first law enforcement agency in Yolo County to carry naloxone (Narcan) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) in every patrol vehicle, both of which have been used to save many lives here in Winters.”

Miller mentioned that during his tenure as chief, the Winters department introduced new community outreach programs such as the cadet program, Coffee/Hamburger/Taco/Otter Pop with the Cops events, Movie with the Night Shift, Q&A with the Cops at the high school, bicycle patrol, and a myriad of other programs.

“I want to thank you all for your support of your Winters Police Department as well as the genuine friendships that have formed over my eight years,” Miller concluded. “Thank you to the City Council and City Managers that have trusted me to run your Police Department. Thank you to the Sergeants, Officers, CSOs, Cadets, VIPS, TAGS, and Chaplains that do the daily work and provide “Service with Integrity” to this community — and a special thank you to our Police/Fire Administrative Coordinator (Karla and now Gail), who truly keep the wheels turning for both agencies from behind the scenes. Being Chief of Winters PD has truly been the highest honor and the highlight of my 30-plus-year career!”

This is the third major leadership change to a police department in Yolo County in the past month. In Woodland, new police chief Ryan Kinnan took the oath of office during a Change of Command ceremony held Wednesday, Sept. 18. Kinnan is set to replace the outgoing Derrek Kaff, who will remain as an advisor until his planned retirement on Oct. 17.

Later in the week, former Davis Police Department Chief Darren Pytel retired after 41 years of service to the Davis community, with Todd Henry named as his successor, effective Oct. 17.