Napa Police Chief Robert Plummer, shown speaking in 2018 about the officer-involved fatal shooting of David Molina. He announced his resignation on Dec. 31, 2020, effective the next day.
Napa’s police chief is resigning effective Friday, after less than three years on the job, saying he wants to spend more time with his family.
“After much prayer and contemplation, I have decided to put aside the stressors of the job and retire after 30 years of public service in law enforcement,” Chief Robert Plummer said in a statement released Thursday evening. “I have had a rich and rewarding career that I embarked upon at just 22 years of age with many opportunities that I will be forever grateful for, including the honor of leading the Napa Police Department as the Chief of Police for the last two and a half years.”
Plummer, the city’s first Black chief, spent most of his career with the Las Vegas Police Department in a variety of roles, including heading the homicide division.
In Napa, he had made efforts to increase the diversity of the department, which is largely White. Over the summer, he met with protestors after the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis, and he promised to discuss police reforms, though he has yet to complete the project.
City Manager Steve Potter, himself a former chief of the department, said Plummer’s resignation was entirely his own choice. He said Plummer had expressed a desire to be back in Las Vegas, where most of his family lives.
“Chief Plummer has made significant contributions to the Napa Police Department during his tenure,” Potter said in a statement. “His ability to connect with community members at all levels, advancing the use of technology including the expedited deployment of Body Worn Cameras and reviving the NAPACAMS program to increase cameras in the downtown corridor, increasing diversity in the department, and increasing transparency to the community are all things I will remember.”
Some officers had privately expressed disapproval of Plummer’s management style, but the Napa Police Officers Association issued a statement Thursday praising the chief and wishing him well in retirement.
“The Napa Police Officer’s Association was surprised by the announcement of Chief Plummer’s decision to leave the Napa Police Department,” the association said. “During his time with us, he implemented many new programs that allowed us to work with the Napa community in a positive light. Chief Plummer was able to secure much needed equipment for our agency and continuously worked towards bringing the department into the 21st century. We thank him for his willingness to step outside of the box and look at the larger picture of policing in today’s society. His forethought helped our officers navigate the many tragedies that occurred during his time with us.”
Potter said he plans to name an interim chief as soon as Monday. In the meantime, the department will be headed jointly by Capt. Jennifer Gonzales and acting Capt. Brian Campagna.
WATCH NOW: NAPA POLICE CHIEF BRIEFS CITY COUNCIL ON USE OF FORCE POLICY
PHOTOS: BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTS IN NAPA
Photos: Black Lives Matter protests in Napa County
Calistoga peaceful protest
Peaceful demonstrators waved signs and chanted in support of Black Lives Matter on the Lincoln Avenue Bridge in Calistoga on June 20, as drivers honked in support.
Calistoga peaceful protest
Calistoga protesters marched from Pioneer Park to Lincoln Avenue June 20 in support of Black Lives Matter.
Calistoga peaceful protest
Calistoga Mayor Chris Canning addressed the crowd of BLM protesters in Pioneer Park on June 20, saying the community is fortunate to be "collectively supportive" of one another.
Calisoga peaceful protest
Peaceful protesters gathered at Calistoga's Pioneer Park June 20 and 21 to support Black Lives Matter.
Calistoga peaceful protest
On June 20-21, Calistogans participated in peaceful protests carrying signs and chanting from Pioneer Park to the Lincoln Avenue Bridge.
Calistoga peaceful protest
Supporting the national and international Black Lives Matter movement, peaceful protesters waved signs in downtown Calistoga June 20-21.
Calistoga peaceful protest
Police Chief Mitch Celaya told BLM protesters on Friday that the Calistoga Police Department has created a culture that is "very community-centered."
Calistoga peaceful protest
Friday's peaceful protest in Calistoga for the Black Lives Matter movement drew demonstrators of all ages.
Calistoga peaceful protest
About three dozen peaceful protesters gathered in Pioneer Park on Friday, calling attention to the national and global-wide Black Lives Matter movement.
Calistoga peaceful protest
Protesters waved signs in support of Black Lives matter June 20, as passing cars on Lincoln Avenue honked in support.
Lorie Johns, Diego Mariano
Lorie Johns and Diego Mariano take part in Monday's Black Lives Matter demonstration in Angwin.
Angwin demonstration
Dozens of Angwinites pose near Howell Mountain Road during Friday's demonstration in support of Black Lives Matter.
Juneteenth in Angwin
Demonstrators march down Howell Mountain Road in Angwin on Friday, which was Juneteenth. Leading the march is organizer Michael Andrianarijaona.
Lorie Johns
Lorie Johns of Angwin holds a "Black Lives Matter" sign during Friday's demonstration.
Milbert Mariano, Diego Mariano, Julie Lee, Luca Mariano
Angwin residents Milbert Mariano, Diego Mariano, Julie Lee and Luca Mariano participate in a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Angwin in June.
Black Lives Matter demonstration, Angwin
A few dozen Angwinites on Monday carried signs decrying racism and supporting Black Lives Matter.
Angwin demonstration
Angwin residents march down Howell Mountain Road near College Avenue supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
Napa protest against police violence
Some 100 people gathered at Napa's Veterans Memorial Park in the opening minutes of a protest against police brutality and racial discrimination, one of numerous such protests to take place nationwide since the death of George Floyd during an arrest in Minneapolis was captured on video.
Napa protest against police violence
Gabriela Fernandez (foreground) leads demonstrators in chants of "No justice, no peace!" at Veterans Memorial Park during the third weekend of protests in Napa inspired by the death of George Floyd, a black man, during an arrest by Minneapolis police last month.
Napa protest against police violence
Veterans Memorial Park in Napa has become the local hub of protests against police brutality against people of color, including a demonstration Sunday afternoon.
Napa protest against police violence
Demonstrators chanting against racism and police violence Sunday, June 14 at Napa's Veterans Memorial Park raised arms during a chant of "Hands up, don't shoot!"
Protesters against racism take to Napa streets
Between 250 and 300 people took part in Sunday's protest march in downtown Napa against racism and police brutality. The procession included 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence at First and School streets, in remembrance of the death of George Floyd during an arrest by Minneapolis police May 25.
Napa protest against police brutality
Hundreds of demonstrators against racism and police violence formed a ring at First and School streets Sunday in downtown Napa, maintaining silence for nearly nine minutes in remembrance of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died during an arrest in Minneapolis May 25. The length of the silent period was inspired by the length of the video showing a police officer leaning a knee to Floyd's neck as he struggled to breathe.
Kids' march against racism in Napa
Some 200 people took part in a "kids' march" in downtown Napa for children and families protesting the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd. The walk preceded Napa's second scheduled all-comers march against police brutality, following an earlier demonstration May 31.
Vigil for racial equality in Napa
A spectator at Sunday's interfaith vigil for racial equality in Napa's Veterans Memorial Park held a sign marking the length of a widely shared video that showed the death of George Floyd as a Minneapolis police officer leaned a knee onto his neck during an arrest May 25. Local clergy members led some 60 people in 84.6 seconds of silence in Floyd's memory. The 84.6 seconds was in recognition of the length of a video showing an officer leaning a knee onto Floyd's neck as he struggled to breathe.
Kids' march against racism in Napa
Children and parents massed at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Napa on Sunday for a kids' march against racism and police violence. Organizers of the event, which included a walk through the Oxbow Commons, put together the observance in solidarity with similar family-oriented demonstrations held in San Francisco and Oakland.
Vigil for racial equality in Napa
The Rev. Robin Denney of St. Mary's Episcopal Church held a "Black Lives Matter" placard Sunday while speaking to about 60 people during an interfaith vigil supporting people of color and opposing racism. The vigil and walk was part of a second Sunday of observances following the death of George Floyd during an arrest by Minneapolis police May 25.
Marching through downtown St. Helena
After gathering at Jacob Meily Park and listening to several speaches, a group of mostly young people marched through downtown St. Helena on Tuesday night.
Marching through downtown St. Helena
A large group of mostly young people, all with masks, marched through downtown St. Helena on Tuesday night.
Marching through downtown St. Helena
A group of people gathered at Meily Park Tuesday evening and after listening to several speakers marched through downtown St. Helena to Lyman Park. Translated the sign says, "Your Struggle is My Struggle."
Marching through downtown St. Helena
On Tuesday night, a large group of mostly young people walked on the sidewalks from Jacob Meily Park to Lyman Park in downtown St. Helena. The sign is translated as "Your Struggle is My Struggle."
Black Lives Matter protest in Napa
Sunday's protest in downtown Napa against police brutality and racial bias began with hundreds of demonstrators massing in front of the county courthouse on Third Street before moving the rally a block north to Veterans Memorial Park. Later, marchers peacefully walked through the central city before disbanding at 11:30 p.m. at Veterans Park.
Black Lives Matter protest in Napa
Many of the placards carried by protesters at a downtown Napa demonstration Sunday displayed solidarity for Latinos with African Americans in the battle against racism and brutality by law enforcement. The rally follows a long line of protests that have taken place nationwide since George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died while being arrested by Minneapolis police May 25.
Black Lives Matter protest in Napa
A marcher at Sunday's demonstration against police brutality carried a sign with the words "I can't breathe" - echoing the plea of George Floyd captured on video minutes before the 46-year-old African American man died during an arrest by Minneapolis police on May 25.
Black Lives Matter protest in Napa
A demonstrator leads hundreds of other protesters in chants of "Black Lives Matter" and "No justice, no peace" at Veterans Memorial Park in downtown Napa during a Sunday afternoon demonstration against racism and police brutality. The protest took place six days after George Floyd, an African-American man, died during an arrest by Minneapolis police after an officer leaned a knee on his neck for more than eight minutes.
You can reach Sean Scully at 256-2246 or sscully@napanews.com.
Sean Scully
Editor
Sean has been editor of the Napa Valley Register since April of 2014. His previous credits include the Press Democrat, The Weekly Calistogan, The Washington Times and Time and People magazines.
