The Arcata City Council named Christian Ortega as the Arcata’s Police Department’s new chief of police at their meeting Wednesday night to an enthusiastic crowd. 

Ortega will take command of the APD in December; until then, Chief Bart Silvers will remain the head of the department. 

Ortega joined the APD in 2005 before becoming a sergeant in 2016 and a lieutenant in 2024. During that time, he’s held positions on the Drug Task Force, the Major Crimes Task Force, and the Sexual Assault Response Team. He’s also worked as a detective and a background investigator.

A few public commenters spoke up to say that his appointment pleased them, and that during some previous involvements with law enforcement, he had done a good job trying to help them out. 

Councilmember Kimberley White also praised Ortega at the meeting, especially his abilities to speak Spanish and connect with Latino community members, recounting a time where a woman at a sanctuary-city town hall was moved to tears by his dependability. 

“I’m thrilled that Lieutenant Ortega has been chosen as Arcata’s new police chief,” White said. “…Chris will be a community-oriented chief that understands what the citizens and council are looking for in policing a community. And finally, Lieutenant Ortega is an embodiment of a peace officer promoting community and safety engagement.”

Ortega couldn’t be reached at APD headquarters for comment as of publication.