<p>Richard Celli named chief investigator at Sonoma County District Attorney's Office</p>

Sonoma County District Attorney Jill Ravitch has selected Richard Celli as the new Chief of the Investigations Bureau at the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office. Celli was sworn into the office earlier today after taking over for former Chief Investigator Cecile Focha, who retired after leading the division for nearly three years.

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “I am very happy to announce the promotion of Rich Celli to Chief Investigator. Chief Celli has been an integral part of the investigations team at the District Attorney’s Office during very challenging times, and has helped lead the Investigations Unit with integrity and a commitment to justice.”

Celli, who previously held the position of Supervising District Attorney Investigator, came to the District Attorney’s Office in January 2018 from the Santa Rosa Police Department where he had worked for 27 years, retiring at the rank of Sergeant. As a Santa Rosa police officer Celli was an operator and supervisor of the SWAT unit, a traffic unit supervisor, a Field Training officer, and a Narcotics Detective and Sergeant.

While working as a Supervising District Attorney Investigator, Celli completed the Emerging Leader Experience from Enact Leadership based in San Francisco, CA.  Celli also maintained a collateral assignment within the Sonoma County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) where over the past two years he served as an Operations Chief during the “Wallbridge” and “Kinkade” fires as well as the County’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also the Investigations Bureau’s Training Manager.

Chief Celli holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Administration of Justice from California State University in Sacramento.

As Chief of the Bureau Celli will manage twelve investigators and one supervising investigator in the District Attorney's Office.