“The new chief might have gone federal, but instead the road wound from Santa Rosa to Napa to Georgia—finally landing in Fort Bragg as the town’s top cop.
Eric Swift once planned to become a federal marshal, but chose to stay with what he knew best—working in sheriff’s offices across two states. After a stint in Georgia, he longed to return to California. Knowing Chief Neil Cervenka, Swift applied when he learned of Cervenka’s retirement, first serving as interim chief before seeking the permanent post. He wasn’t alone: Fort Bragg Police Department’s Thomas O’Neil and Sgt. Jonathan McLaughlin also threw their hats in the ring. What followed was a gentleman’s campaign, with none of the three speaking ill of the others. The two veterans focused on solutions to pressing local issues—homelessness and street drugs—while Swift emphasized a fresh approach: giving the department a more professional image and fostering openness.
We’ll save the full sit‑down with Swift for a year from now. Today, though, the press releases are being gobbled up and shot out by the press‑release mills—so here’s ours.
