Brian Baker
Chief of Police

Chief Brian Baker joined the Yuba City Police Department as a cadet officer in May 1994.  After attending the Yuba College Police Academy, Chief Baker became a level II reserve officer and shortly thereafter completed the department’s field training program.  He was a level I reserve officer for a  short period of time and became a fulltime officer in March 1999.  While a patrol officer Chief Baker was a background investigator, and the department’s cadet program coordinator. Brian was named Officer of the Year in 2001. 

In 2002 Chief Baker was assigned to the Investigations Unit as a detective until December 2005, when he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  While a Sergeant Brian worked patrol, traffic, and investigations.  In July 2016 Brian was promoted to Lieutenant where he served as a watch commander and as the department’s training manager, along with various other duties.  Brian was promoted to Commander in June 2019.  Brian was appointed Chief of Police in September 2021. 

Chief Baker possesses an Associate in Science degree from Yuba Community College, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.  Brian also possesses a Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach.  Chief Baker has completed the Los Angeles Police Department Leadership Program, along with the POST Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and the POST Executive Development Course.  Brian has received Management Level Certification from California’s Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.  During his employ with the police department, Brian has received numerous awards and commendations from both the department and members of the community. 

Brian is an active member in our community and volunteers his time to a variety of area charitable causes.  Brian is a past president of the Yuba City Kiwanis Club, and is currently member of the Yuba Sutter Kiwanis Supper Club.  Chief Baker has been a board member and a past president of the California Robbery Investigators Association since 2004.  During his career Chief Baker has served on the board of directors for the Yuba City Police Officers Association, and served three years as president. 

Brian and his fiancé Renee live in Yuba City, where Brian has called home for the past 30 plus years. Brian enjoys spending time with his daughters Morgan and Brooke and with friends.

Karen Krohn
Administrative Assistant
Office of the Chief of Police

Karen Krohn joined YCPD in 2024 after working over 20 years in criminal justice.  As a legal secretary at the District Attorney’s office, she frequently coordinated with local law enforcement.  During her decades in the prosecutor’s office, she had daily contact with police officers, attorneys, and court officials.  She managed thousands of case files including police reports and helped the office transition from paper files to computerized records.

Karen was known for her responsiveness and timeliness in answering inquiries.  As a point of contact for law enforcement, officers would often reach out to Karen to obtain calendars, confirm subpoenas, and request adjustments in court appearances for medical or personal reasons.  Karen coordinated cases from filing charges, preparing subpoenas for preliminary hearings and trials, and reviewing and filing legal documents.  She helped manage professional and civilian witnesses and assisted prosecutors in preparing and filing cases from minor traffic violations to homicides. 

Customer service is a key aspect of Karen’s career. Before starting her law enforcement career, she acted as a patient coordinator and medical-legal records clerk for Sutter North.  For over thirty years, she has handled confidential and highly sensitive information pertaining to patient care, criminal cases, and investigations. Karen looks forward to putting her skills to work for the officers and staff of the YCPD and the citizens of Yuba City.

Karen is a long-term local resident who moved to Yuba City after graduating from Colusa High School.  Her husband John is a retired career probation officer.  In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with family.

Sam Escheman
Commander
Support Services Division

Commander Sam Escheman began his law enforcement career in 1995 as a Deputy Sheriff for the Yuba County Sheriffs Department. As a Deputy Sheriff he worked in corrections at the Yuba County Jail. Pursuing his law enforcement career, he entered the police academy in 1997 and moved to the Yuba County Probation Department where he was a group counselor at Bi-County Juvenile Hall.

In 1998, Escheman began his employment with the Marysville Police Department as a Police Officer assigned to the Patrol Division. During his time with Marysville, he became a narcotics agent and was assigned to the Yuba-Sutter Narcotics Enforcement Team-5 (NET-5), and was recognized as the 1999 Officer of the Year.

In 2001, Escheman began his career with the Yuba City Police Department. He has held the positions of patrol officer, field training officer, detective, traffic officer, canine handler, and narcotics agent. Escheman was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2017. As a Sergeant, he worked as a patrol supervisor, K-9 supervisor, and the task force supervisor for the Yuba-Sutter Narcotic and Gang Enforcement Taskforce (NET-5). Escheman was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2020.  As a Lieutenant he oversaw the Operations Support Division, which consists of the dispatch center, records unit, community policing unit, and oversight of the department budget.  Escheman was promoted to the rank of Commander in 2021 and oversees the Support Services Division.

Escheman is a graduate of Marysville High School, he possesses an Associate of Arts degree from Yuba College, and a Bachelor of Science degree from California State University, Long Beach. Escheman is the recipient of numerous department awards and commendations, including the department lifesaving medal with valor.

Escheman coach's youth football and has held positions on local school site councils and local athletic boards. During his career, Escheman has served on the board of directors of the Yuba City Police Officers Association, and served two years as president.

Commander Escheman is a lifelong resident of the Yuba-Sutter area. He is married to Megan (formerly Lybarger) and they have two daughters  and a son.

Jim Runyen
Commander
Patrol Division

Commander Jim Runyen joined the Yuba City Police Department in 2006 as a lateral officer from Huntington Beach Police Department.  He worked as a patrol officer, Field Training Officer and in 2007 was assigned to the Narcotic Enforcement Team (NET-5) where he served until 2011.  Runyen was assigned to the Investigations Unit in 2012 as a Detective until his promotion to the rank of Sergeant in 2013.  He served as a Use of Force instructor for the department as well as Active Shooter (ALICE) instructor for the community.

  As a sergeant he worked as a Patrol Supervisor and was later assigned as Supervisor of the Traffic Education and Enforcement Division until he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2017.  As a lieutenant, Runyen oversaw the Operations Support Division, Patrol Division, and was a Tactical Commander on the Yuba Sutter Regional SWAT Team.

Runyen is a second-generation law enforcement officer.  He graduated from California State University Chico, in 2002 and from Golden West College Basic Police Academy in 2003.  He obtained his master’s degree in administrative leadership from the University of Oklahoma in 2021.  He has completed the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and the Los Angeles Police Department Leadership Academy.  He is the recipient of numerous department awards.

Runyen is married to Stacy, and they have two children.  He is on the board of Sutter Buttes Little League and involved in coaching sports and helping with the activities of his children. 

Kim Slade
Lieutenant
Support Services

Lieutenant Kim Slade began his law enforcement career with Yuba City Police Department in 2000.  He has held positions of patrol officer, field training officer, traffic officer, SWAT officer and he was recognized as the 2004 Officer of the year for the Yuba City Police Department.  Lt. Slade was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2007.  As a Sergeant, he worked as a patrol supervisor and supervisor for the Traffic Education and Enforcement unit.  Lt. Slade was promoted to Lieutenant in 2020.  As a Lieutenant he oversees the Patrol Division.

Lt. Slade is a graduate of Marysville High School, he possesses an Associate of Arts degree from Yuba College, Bachelor of Science degree from Chapman University and a Master of Science Degree from California State University Long Beach.  Lt. Slade has been awarded numerous department awards and commendations over his law enforcement career.

Lt. Slade has coached youth sports in the Yuba Sutter area for over 15 years to include football, basketball, baseball and wrestling.  Lt. Slade has served on the board of directors for the Yuba City Police Officers association as a general board member.

Lt. Slade has lived in the Yuba Sutter-area for over 40 years.  Lt. Slade has two sons and a daughter, with his oldest son currently serving in the United States Army.

Michelle Brazil
Lieutenant
Investigations

Lieutenant Michelle Brazil began her law enforcement career with the Yuba City Police Department in 2002.  She has held positions of patrol officer, background investigator, field training officer, detective, and hostage negotiator.  She was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2009.  As a Sergeant, she worked patrol, became the Sergeant in charge of the Hostage Negotiation Team, and oversaw the Reserve Officer program.  Before her promotion, she was the Task Force Supervisor for the Yuba-Sutter Narcotic and Gang Task Force (NET-5).  She was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2021 and initially oversaw the Operations Support Division, which consisted of the dispatch center, records unit, community policing unit, and oversight of the department budget.  She is now the Lieutenant of Support Services which includes the investigation Units, Community Policing Unit, and is the Press Information Officer.

Lieutenant Brazil is a graduate of Durham High School, and possesses a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Chico State which she obtained in 1999.  Lieutenant Brazil is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.  She is a recipient of numerous department awards of which include the life saving award and the individual commendation award.

Michelle is married to Tracy and they live in the Yuba/Sutter area.  Michelle enjoys spending time with her grandson Jae and many outside activities.

Brent Slade
Lieutenant
Patrol Division

Lieutenant Brent Slade joined the Yuba City Police Department in 2007 as a lateral officer from the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department. He has held positions as a patrol officer, detective, Range Master, and Swat officer. Lt. B Slade was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2019. As a Sergeant, he worked as a patrol supervisor, and the supervisor for the Investigation Unit. Lt. B. Slade was promoted to Lieutenant in 2023. As a Lieutenant he oversees the Patrol Division.

Lt. B Slade is a graduate of Marysville High school, he possesses an Associate of Arts degree from Golden West College and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Lt. B Slade is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. Lt. B Slade is a recipient of numerous department awards and commendations.

Lt. B Slade has coached youth softball for over 10 years and has held positions on local athletic and youth community group boards. During his career, Lt. B Slade has served on the board of directors for the Yuba City Police Officers association as the Vice-President.

Lt. B Slade is a lifelong resident of the Yuba-Sutter area. He is married to his wife Amy since 2000 and they have four children and two grandchildren. 

Michael Bullard
Lieutenant
Patrol Division

Prior to embarking on his law enforcement career, Lieutenant Mike Bullard devoted five years to serving in the United States Navy. During his military tenure, he distinguished himself as a Navy SEAL operator attached to SEAL Team 7, undertaking two combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and The Global War on Terrorism.

Bullard initiated his journey in law enforcement with the Yuba City Police Department in June of 2006, assuming various roles including Patrol Officer, Gang Detective, and Agent with the Yuba Sutter Narcotic and Gang Enforcement Task Force (NET-5). He dedicated 15 years to the SWAT Team, assuming additional responsibilities such as Honor Guard member, Chemical Agent Instructor, Firearms Instructor, Less-Lethal Instructor, and Master Breacher.

In 2020, Bullard ascended to the rank of Sergeant, assuming duties as a Patrol Supervisor and Narcotic and Gang Enforcement Team (NET-5) Supervisor, while also overseeing units like the SWAT Team, Active Shooter Team, Recruitment Team, and Less-Lethal Range Team. He has been honored with various department awards, including individual commendations, two unit of the year awards, and several physical fitness awards. In 2013, Lt. Bullard earned recognition as the Yuba City Police Department Officer of the Year.

December of 2023 Bullard was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, where he currently manages the Patrol Division, Traffic Unit, K9 Unit, and Community Service Officers. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Management from Union Institute & University and has completed the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.

Bullard's community involvement extends beyond law enforcement, encompassing over 18 years of coaching youth sports such as baseball, wrestling, and football. He serves as a board member of the Sutter Buttes Little League and the Yuba City Police Officer’s Association, while also contributing as a committee member of the Yuba-Sutter Chapter of the California Waterfowl Association.

 Lt. Bullard and his wife Shannon have been married since 2004. They have raised their two children in Yuba City and were recently graced with a grandchild.