Michael Nichelini Archives - Open Vallejo

Two uniformed police officers stand side by side, both wearing dark ballistic vests with “POLICE” markings and matching black baseball caps bearing a department badge. Each officer holds a pink patch with “Vallejo Police” and a stylized star, presumably to support breast cancer awareness. A black police SUV is parked behind them. Both officers are smiling as they pose for the photo.

Vallejo terminates officer previously arrested for alleged felonies

by Geoffrey King March 13, 2025March 14, 2025

Two senior police officers leave a conference room holding various items.

Under union pressure, Vallejo police chief ends body camera analysis

by Laurence Du Sault July 9, 2023January 29, 2025

Three police personnel speak to an audience in a small, covered outdoor amphitheater.

Vallejo officer in June 27 shooting identified as Brad Kim

by Geoffrey King July 3, 2023January 19, 2024

Then-Vallejo Councilmember Hakeem Brown speaks at a city council meeting on police reform on Dec. 6, 2022. Brown is a Black man in his mid-40s wearing glasses, a green Pendleton-style cap and green vest over a black shirt. He has a goatee.

Hakeem Brown to lead Vallejo NAACP despite domestic violence revelations

by Geoffrey King January 13, 2023October 27, 2023

Vallejo Police Lt. Michael Nichelini takes a selfie with colleagues in front of his family’s winery in St. Helena, Calif. during a “training ride” on Nov. 14, 2019.

Termination overturned for Vallejo police lieutenant who threatened journalist

by Geoffrey King December 1, 2022October 27, 2023

Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams is seen at his swearing-in ceremony on Nov. 12, 2019, at Vallejo City Hall.

Vallejo police chief resigns, former Sacramento chief to consult

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King November 4, 2022October 27, 2023

Five Vallejo police officers pose indoors with another man in a black and white group photograph taken in the 1970s or early 1980s. Front row, left to right: John Lynch, Peter Zander, Ronald Guerra. Back row: unknown, Herbert Shrum, Burky Worel, Louis Baldino.

Vallejo patrol staffing drops below 1975 levels

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King September 21, 2022October 27, 2023

Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams speaks with the media at his swearing-in ceremony on Nov. 12, 2019.

Claim alleges false testimony by Vallejo police chief

by Laurence Du Sault, Katy St. Clair and Geoffrey King November 1, 2021October 27, 2023

Vallejo police Det. Jarrett Tonn

Detective on leave over Sean Monterrosa shooting

by Laurence Du Sault and Geoffrey King July 11, 2021October 27, 2023

Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams is sworn into office under the gaze of a city surveillance camera on Nov. 12, 2019. A BuzzFeed News investigation found that Vallejo was one of more than 1,800 public entities to use a facial recognition technology so powerful, it is the subject of numerous lawsuits and several government probes. A Vallejo police spokesperson said the department’s command staff were unaware of its use prior to being contacted for comment by Open Vallejo.

News

Vallejo police secretly tested ‘dystopian’ facial recognition tool

by Brian Howey April 13, 2021April 29, 2025