Newly appointed Arcata police chief Brian Ahearn has been on the job nearly two months and is making a point to connect to his new community. Ahearn brings more than 30 years of police experience to Arcata. His law enforcement career began with the San Diego Police Department as a patrol officer in June 1986. He climbed in the ranks, reaching the level of captain in 2011, before accepting the top cop title with the Arcata Police Department November 2018.