Pinole Police Chief Final Candidates

Applications were reviewed earlier last month. Semi-finalists completed interviews with Subject Matter Experts, Department Heads, and Police Department Staff. The next part of the recruitment process involves three (3) finalists interviewing with a panel of Community Stakeholders and then attending the Community Forum tomorrow (Thursday, November 7, 5-7pm, Pinole Senior Center) where members of the community will be able to get to know the final candidates better and provide their input. The City Manager is on track to make a decision and complete negotiations by mid-November.

Continue reading to learn more about each of the final Police Chief Candidates: Abrem Ayana, Jeremy Crone, and Melissa Klawuhn.

ABREM AYANA

Abrem Ayana is an accomplished, award-winning public safety leader based in Atlanta, Georgia, with over thirteen years of dedicated service in law enforcement. As a Lieutenant with the Brookhaven Police Department, Abrem has been a driving force in establishing Brookhaven as a model for public safety technology integration in the Southeast. He has held prior leadership roles in Uniform Patrol and Criminal Investigations and now serves as the commander of the Office of Professional Standards and Special Projects, where he oversees Internal Affairs investigations, recruitment and hiring, community engagement, and technology projects.

A certified Crisis Intervention Instructor with both POST Supervision and Management certifications, Abrem also holds a POST Instructor certification. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and furthered his leadership skills through Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff & Command, along with executive training at the FBI's Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar.

Abrem has implemented a range of pioneering initiatives, including a city-wide camera network, the upcoming City of Brookhaven Real Time Operations Center, and innovative programs such as the Drone as First Responder, which dispatches drones to 911 calls ahead of ground responders—a program featured nationally, including on CBS News. He also introduced Live911 in Brookhaven, a system that livestreams 911 calls directly to first responders, significantly reducing response times, and established the Crisis Intervention Team, which integrates a mental health professional directly into field operations. Additionally, he created a Peer Support Team and led a successful effort to secure $147,000 in federal funding to enhance mental health services and wellness support for officers. In recognition of his mental health advocacy, Abrem received the Award of Recognition from the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Georgia Chapter.

A noted speaker on the role of drones in public safety, Abrem has addressed international audiences on this subject. His contributions were recognized with the 2024 DRONERESPONDERS Eric Talley Public Safety UAS Award. Additionally, his leadership has been honored as Supervisor of the Year by the Brookhaven Police Department (2019, 2022) and by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (2022).

Active in organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE), and as an executive board member of Drone Responders, Abrem continues to shape a future for law enforcement that values innovation, wellness, and strong community relationships.

JEREMY CRONE

Jeremy Crone is the Operations Commander for the City of Pinole Police Department and currently manages Patrol, Training, and Criminal Investigations.

Jeremy began his career in law enforcement as a police officer with the City of Suisun City in 1994 where he served as a patrol officer, school resource officer, and SWAT team member.  In 2000, Jeremy pivoted to the private sector where he worked in financial services as a registered representative and partner in a Fortune 500 company and in the corporate security space as a branch manager. He also owned and operated a hospitality business in the North Bay Area.

Jeremy returned to his original passion of law enforcement in 2015 as a police officer with the City of Suisun City and quickly promoted to the rank of sergeant where he served as a patrol and investigations division supervisor.   In 2018, he was promoted to the rank of commander with oversight over the operations division while serving as a second in command to two external interim chiefs of police and the eventual permanently appointed chief. In 2021, Jeremy joined the City of Pinole Police Department at the rank of lieutenant, now serving as commander overseeing the Operations Bureau as a second in command.

Jeremy has held a variety of assignments and oversight responsibilities in his law enforcement career including marine patrol supervisor, internal affairs, community outreach, recruitment and hiring, budget manager, and training manager. He is versed in working within police departments with limited resources and challenges in recruiting and retention. He has guided departments through leadership and organizational change and served as the Pinole Police Department’s organizational lead from October 2023 to September 2024 while the former chief of police served as the interim city manager.

Jeremy is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command (class 539) and the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Executive Development Course. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from American Public University (summa cum laude) and certificates from P.O.S.T., including a certificate in management.

Jeremy was born and raised in Northern California where he and his wife of 32 years have raised three children and now enjoy life as empty nesters. When not a work, Jeremy spends time in his wood and leather shop, hunting with his chocolate labrador, and restoring his classic convertible.

MELISSA KLAWUHN

Assistant Sheriff Melissa Klawuhn is a San Francisco Bay Area native. She was born and raised in the South Bay Area and has spent the entirety of her professional career serving the citizens of Contra Costa County. 

Assistant Sheriff Klawuhn began her public safety career when she joined the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff in 2001.  Over the past 23 years, she has had opportunities to work and lead in virtually every aspect of policing and public safety.  With assignments in the Forensic Services Division, specialized Patrol, Investigations, SWAT/HNT, Internal Affairs, Emergency Services Division (OES), and Training, Assistant Sheriff Klawuhn held various operational, administrative, and executive positions in the ranks of Criminalist, Deputy Sheriff, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Assistant Sheriff.  She is currently in charge of the Field Operations Bureau of the Sheriff’s Office, overseeing a staff of over 375 personnel in the Patrol, Investigations, and Special Operations Divisions, including the contract cities of Danville, Lafayette, and Orinda.

Assistant Sheriff Klawuhn has a breadth of experience inclusive of comprehensive police services, including operations and resource management, community engagement, hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, strategic planning, and budget management.  She has a passion for training and mentoring police professionals and promoting a healthy internal organizational culture. She seeks ways to leverage technology to increase service efficiency and transparency to the community.

Assistant Sheriff Klawuhn’s formal education includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Science from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Science Degree in Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego.  She is also a graduate of the California POST Command College. 

POLICE CHIEF CANDIDATE MEET & GREET IS TOMORROW

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 5-7PM

SENIOR CENTER MAIN HALL

We are pleased to invite you to our revised and updated Police Chief Candidate Meet & Greet on Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Senior Center Main Hall. We greatly value your input and understand the importance of a strong, trusting relationship that the new Police Chief must have with our community.

During the meet and greet, our City Manager will facilitate an opportunity for the candidates to introduce themselves, share their backgrounds, and participate in a Q&A session. Following their presentations, you'll have the chance to interact with the finalists in smaller “meet the candidate discussions,” allowing you to get to know them on a more personal level.

Refreshments and light snacks will be provided.

Your participation is important, and we encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to engage with the candidates and share your thoughts. We hope to see you there, and please feel free to extend this opportunity to anyone part of the Pinole community.

Event Details:

Date: Thursday, November 7

Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Location: Senior Center Main Hall, 2500 Charles Avenue, Pinole CA 94564