Vallejo names Andrew Bidou police chief

Benicia Police Chief Andrew Bidou has been selected as the Vallejo Police Department’s new chief effective Oct. 4. Bidou, 45, will take over from Vallejo Police Chief Joseph Kreins.

Bidou has 24 years experience in policing and has been Benicia’s chief since Jan. 25, 2011.

Bidou said in a news release announcing his appointment:

“I am very excited to have been chosen to lead the City of Vallejo Police Department. … The Vallejo Police Chief position is a unique and special position, and I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to apply my skills and experience to the hard work ahead of me.”

Vallejo City Manager Daniel E. Keen said Bidou’s experience in community policing in Benicia and in Newark, where he worked for 18 years, was important to him and will be helpful in the Vallejo Police Department’s development of stronger relationships in Vallejo:

“I was also impressed with his commitment to improving the diversity of his workforce in Benicia, and his successful efforts to work collaboratively with other police departments, including the City of Vallejo. … He’s had a front row seat to what’s been gong on in the City of Vallejo over the past several years, and I expect that his transition to police chief here will be smooth.”

His salary will be $204,361 per year, Keen said.