Upson Appointed Benicia City Manager In 5-0 City Council Vote

BENICIA, CA— It's official: Benicia police Chief Erik Upson is now Benicia City Manager Erik Upson.

Upson has been serving as interim city manager since September when then-City Manager Lorie Tinfow resigned. Tuesday night, the Benicia City Council voted 5-0 in favor of appointing Upson to the role on a permanent basis.

"The City Council is very pleased that Mr. Upson has accepted our offer to become our next city manager," Mayor Steve Young said. "Although he has come to this job in an unconventional fashion, having served his entire career in law enforcement, he has shown a high degree of adaptability and initiative in confronting numerous challenges. We are confident and know that he will encourage the type of positive culture for the entire city workforce that he has brought to the police department."

Upson is a native of Washington state who joined the U.S. Army out of high school. He served eight years in the U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard, then graduated from Cal Berkeley with a bachelor's degree in American Studies and a minor in public policy.

Upson went on to work for the Berkeley Police Department for 18 years, where he served as a motor officer, SWAT member and community area coordinator. While working with the Berkeley PD, he completed his master's degree from California State University Long Beach.

Upson said he "is thankful to be supported every day by his wife and four children."

He also said he's "honored by the trust and confidence the Mayor and Council have shown" him.

"I am committed to serving the Benicia community and our amazing staff at the highest level," Upson said. "I will lead and serve with the vision of providing the greatest city service and workforce anywhere and in doing so, strive to continuously improve the quality of life in this amazing community."

As police chief, Upson was known to visit Neighborhood Watch groups for the National Night Out event held annually every August. He told Patch it was the "highlight of his year" because it allowed him to meet new residents and reconnect with those he otherwise might not see very often.

As for who will take the helm permanently as chief of police, Upson plans to appoint his replacement at a later date.

Benicia police Capt. Mike Greene has been serving as interim police chief since September when Upson was appointed interim city manager.