Former sheriff to fill Merced interim police chief seat

A former Merced County Sheriff will serve as the Merced Police Department’s interim chief, city officials announced Monday.

Former Sheriff Tom Cavallero, who served in the Sheriff’s Department for 35 years, will oversee the department until a new chief is selected to replace Chris Goodwin, who retired from the chief role in December, according to a city news release.

Capt. Matt Williams had served as acting Police Chief following Goodwin’s retirement.

Cavallero rose through the ranks of the Merced County Sheriff’s Office, from deputy to undersheriff, before being hired as sheriff coroner in 2013. “I am honored to have been offered the position,” Cavallero said in the release.

“I’ve worked with (the Merced Police Department) for many years and it has excellent men and women who are dedicated, professional and highly trained. I’m here to provide guidance, supervision and the impartial oversight that someone from outside the department can give,” he said.

City Manager Steve Carrigan in the release referred to Cavallero as “the right candidate” to serve as a bridge while the city conducts a nationwide search for a permanent police chief.

“He has decades of law enforcement experience, he knows Merced and has the ability to connect with people,” Carrigan said.

This story was originally published February 10, 2020 at 12:16 PM.