Jonathan Arguello

Jonathan Arguello joined the Newark Police Department in February 1995 as a Police Cadet. In 1996, he was hired as a Police Officer and assigned to the Patrol Division where he later trained newly hired police officers as a Field Training Officer. In 2005, he was assigned to the regional Southern Alameda County Narcotics Enforcement Team (SACNET) where he served as a Narcotics Detective. Chief Arguello has been a member of the department’s Hostage Negotiation Team, an Active Shooter Instructor and spent nine years as a member and Team Leader on the department’s S.W.A.T. team.

Chief Arguello was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2007 and served as the Traffic Division supervisor from 2007 through 2012 before being selected to oversee the department’s Special Enforcement Team where he remained through 2013. Chief Arguello was promoted to Lieutenant in 2014, serving as an Operations Lieutenant overseeing Patrol, Detective Division, Major Crimes Task Force, Special Enforcement Team, as well as the Explorer and Honor Guard programs. Chief. Arguello was promoted to Captain in 2017 and currently manages the Field Operations Division overseeing Patrol, Detectives, Traffic, School Resource Officer Program, Major Crimes Task Force, K-9, S.W.A.T., Crisis Negotiation Team, Communications, Records, Animal Control, Reserve Officers, Explorers and the Field Training Program.  On April 11, 2024, Chief Arguello was promoted to his current position as Newark's new Chief of Police.

Chief Arguello earned Associates of Arts degrees both in Administration of Justice and Liberal Arts from Ohlone College in 1995. He is a long time member of numerous professional organizations, including the California Association of Tactical Officers, the California Narcotic Officers’ Association and the California Peace Officers’ Association. He has received numerous awards including the department’s Silver Award on five occasions, has been recognized as Employee of the Quarter on three occasions, as well other commendations from the department and outside organizations. His continued dedication to the betterment of the law enforcement profession led his peers to elect him as President of the Newark Police Association, where he served as a board member from 2003 through 2007.

Chief Arguello is a 2012 graduate of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, completed the California POST Management program through Humboldt State and in 2013 earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management. In 2019, Chief Arguello completed the Executive Development Certification Program through the California Police Chiefs Association and graduated from the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police Executives at Boston University. Chief Arguello is currently pursuing his master’s degree through the California State University, East Bay.

When away from the police department, Chief Arguello enjoys uncovering new foodie spots, as well as running to burn off all of those extra calories, but most of all he loves spending time with his wife and two children.

Police Chief Jonathan Arguello can be contacted at jonathan.arguello@newark.org or (510) 578-4375.