Goleta Gets New Police Chief

Goleta welcomed Lieutenant Phil Willis, of the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department, as its new police chief this week. The City of Goleta’s police department is manned by sheriff’s deputies, via a contract with the county. Willis-who previously served as police chief in Carpinteria and Solvang, which are also contract cities-will direct law enforcement in Goleta as part of the agreement. “I look forward to working with the city and community of Goleta and its environs,” he said. “It is an honor to have this opportunity to serve another city contracting with the Sheriff’s Department.”

Lieutenant Chris Pappas, who served as Goleta’s police chief for almost four years, was reassigned to lead the Sheriff’s Department’s training program. Pappas had served in the training bureau as a sergeant before he was promoted to lieutenant and given command of the Goleta Police Department. “It has been an honor to serve as chief of police for the City of Goleta,” he said. “I look forward to serving the department, and the community, in my new assignment as the training bureau lieutenant.”