New Atwater police chief appointed by City Council. Here’s his background

Richard McEachin, police chief in Clayton, on Monday was named the new police chief of Atwater.

City Council voted 5-0 to approve McEachin’s employment contract with the city of 32,000 residents.

“It is truly an honor to be selected as the next Police Chief of the City of Atwater. Atwater is an outstanding community, and I look forward to working with the residents, businesses, visitors, and staff to continue to move forward in a positive direction,” McEachin said.

McEachin, who will officially begin his new job on Dec. 19, will be paid an annual salary of $174,512 plus benefits as an at-will employee, meaning he may be terminated at any time, with or without cause,and without an expiration date.. He replaces Police Chief Michael Salvador, who announced his retirement in July, and served the department for the past five years.

McEachin served as police chief of the Clayton Police Department for the past two years. Previously, he led the Dos Palos Police Department for four years.

With 31 sworn police officers patrolling a city of about 32,000 residents, the Atwater department will be the largest force that McEachin has led.

Salvador, last night also swore in Ana Reyes as police officer. Reyes initially joined the police department as a dispatcher in 2023.

“She walked into my office and said, ‘Chief, I’d like to be a police officer someday.’ I said, ‘Okay,’” Salvador told the council before swearing her in. “She’s going to be really special to me because she will be the last person I swear in as an official act as chief of police.”

Salvador’s last day as police chief will be Dec. 18.

This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 6:00 AM.