Lt. Bart Silvers will soon be Chief Silvers | Photo submitted by the City of Arcata

Today the City of Arcata announced that Lieutenant Bart Silvers, who has been with the Arcata Police Department for more than 20 years, will be sworn in as the new Chief of Police during a special meeting next week. 

Silvers will succeed former Chief Brian Ahearn, who was recruited for the position in 2018. After working with APD for nearly five years, Ahearn retired on October 18. 

Press release from the City of Arcata:

The City of Arcata announced today that Bart Silvers has been appointed Arcata Police Department’s new Chief of Police.

The incoming Chief of Police will be responsible for ensuring that the Arcata Police Department is supporting the Arcata community’s core values essential to contemporary law enforcement, continuing the community’s high level of policing services, building vital community partnerships and growing successful public safety programs focusing on business safety, neighborhood crime, property theft and drug use.

Recruitment for the Chief of Police position was conducted by an outside recruiting firm, Bob Murray and Associates, who specializes in executive police recruitment. The recruitment process included a nationwide search which resulted in 10 applicants.

“Chief of Police is a vital and engaged position in Arcata. It was critical to select a leader with proven experience and the ability to bring specific skills and qualities to Arcata that could allow the department to build on the success that they have generated these past few years under Chief Ahearn. After considering valuable feedback from community members, department and non-department staff, we found that Bart Silvers’s commitment to community policing and his proven dedication to the City and the University community was the best fit for our City,” said Karen Diemer, Arcata City Manager, of Silvers’s appointment.

Silvers has over 22 years of public safety and progressive law enforcement experience with the City of Arcata. He was hired as a Police Officer in 2001. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2005 and then to Lieutenant in 2010. He has served as Acting and Interim Chief numerous times throughout his career.

During his tenure at APD Silvers has held many positions within the department including, Field Training Officer, Sexual Assault Investigator, Background Investigator, Internal Affairs Investigator, Critical Incident Response Team Member, Firearms Instructor, Sexual Assault Response Team Supervisor, Detective Sergeant and most recently Patrol Commander.

As Lieutenant, he implemented numerous initiatives to enhance Arcata’s police department including streamlining the recruitment and hiring process, implementing de-escalation training, enhanced Advanced Officer Training and recently secured a contract for a wellness program for the department.

Silvers said, “I look forward to continuing to work with our dedicated staff and the community to make Arcata a safe place to live and work.”

Bart Silvers graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and the Sherman Block Leadership Institute. He holds POST Basic, Intermediate, Supervisory and Management Certificates. He has been married to his wife, Teri, for 31 years and they have three adult children. He enjoys outdoor recreation, fishing and time with family, especially his new grandchild.

The employment contract for Chief Silvers will be reviewed by the City Council for ratification on Dec. 20, an official swearing-in ceremony will be held Dec. 21. Further details will be announced as they become available.