FORT BRAGG, CA., 9/22/25 –The Fort Bragg City Council at its meeting Monday is set to approve an interim police chief.
The council’s agenda for the 6 p.m. meeting includes an employment agreement with Eric Swift, who most recently served as a major with the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia after previously working as a lieutenant with the Napa County Sheriff’s Office and for more than a decade in different roles with the Santa Rosa Police Department.
If approved, Swift’s employment would start on Oct. 1 and include up to 960 hours of service for a maximum compensation of $80,505, according to the agreement.
The city of Fort Bragg announced last month that Neil Cervenka is retiring as police chief on Sept. 30 after three years with the department. Cervenka worked for the Turlock Police Department for more than 20 years before leading the Fort Bragg Police Department.
The City Council on Monday will also discuss the recruitment process to select a new permanent chief, and has announced a community town hall for next week to get feedback from the public.
The community town hall is planned for 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 29 at Town Hall at 363 N. Main St. People can also share feedback via an online survey.
Monday’s City Council meeting is planned for 6 p.m. also at Town Hall and can be accessed via Zoom.