Lodi Lt. Bryan Noblett takes captain position for Elk Grove police

Lt. Bryan Noblett, of the Lodi Police Department, will be leaving to take a captain position in Elk Grove after 24 years of service in Lodi. (News-Sentinel File Photograph)

Lodi Lt. Bryan Noblett takes captain position for Elk Grove police

By Layla Bohm
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Friday, July 17, 2009 6:13 AM PDT

Comments (6 comment(s))

After spending his 24-year career as a Lodi police officer, Lt. Bryan Noblett left Thursday to take a job as captain of the Elk Grove Police Department.

The move is a promotion for Noblett, who will now hold a higher rank in a city twice the size of Lodi.

"It's a terrific opportunity for him and I know that he will do well, and their people will like him as much as we have," Lodi Police Chief David Main said Thursday.

Noblett, known for his love of "Seinfeld" and Sacramento Kings basketball, was well-respected in the department. Fellow officers named him officer of the year in 1995.

A Sacramento native, Noblett lives in Elk Grove with his wife and three children. He noted recently that for the first time in his career he won't have a commute.

He has been active in Lodi: In 2005 he was recognized as a "local hero" for his volunteer work with Lodi House, a women's shelter.

Noblett got interested in law enforcement when a classmate at Sacramento State University tested for a police job in Lodi. Previously, Noblett had planned to pursue a career in law and had spent the past five years working at a grocery store.

Lodi hired him in 1985, at the age of 21. He later finished his bachelor's degree in criminal justice, and last year got his master's degree in organizational leadership from Chapman University.

In 2007, he attended the FBI's 17-week academy in Virginia, saying at the time that he wanted the experience so he could help lead younger officers.

"He's just one of those people who have excellent people skills," Main said.

Due to budget constraints, the Lodi department will not hire another officer or make full promotions to fill Noblett's position. Instead, Sgt. Tod Patterson will become an acting lieutenant to help oversee patrol, and his current job as detective sergeant will be vacant, Main said.

Noblett had overseen a number of areas, including dispatching, jail operations and the animal shelter.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

dogs4you wrote on Jul 17, 2009 7:09 PM:

" Facts, if leaving the Lodi PD isn`t retiring, what would you call it. Going to Elk Grove is like starting over, with the exception of the rank of Captain. Not bad when you stop to think of the raise in pay.

Truth, get someone with some common sence to read my post to you, I have nothing again the Lt. to start with. We all go where the pay will be greater. I am not bashing public service, you have no idea how much the city of Lodi pays out in retirement. Check first before you put your foot in your mouth, like you have for your comments about me. "

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the truth wrote on Jul 17, 2009 3:57 PM:

" dogs4you - Read before you speak! You are the type of person that makes blogging so annoying. Your negative point of view and agenda of bashing public service makes you unable to be a critical thinker. "

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JustTheFacts wrote on Jul 17, 2009 3:03 PM:

" Dogs... Read a little closer, or maybe slower. Lt. Noblett is not retiring. He's leaving Lodi PD and going to Elk Grove PD. Lodi's loss will be Elk Grove's gain for sure.
Good luck Captain Noblett. "

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dogs4you wrote on Jul 17, 2009 12:58 PM:

" While I have no doubt that Lt. Noblett did an outstanding job for the Lodi PD., and after serving the city for 24 years and retiring, his retirement check will be something that anyone could live on. Now to take on the job as Capt. in the Elk Grove PD and another pay check, no need to say he will live well. He put in his time, but one thing that is hurting Lodi is the outlay of money that goes out every month to the higher end of PD and Lodi FD that retired. Enjoy your retirement LT. and also your new job. "

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the truth wrote on Jul 17, 2009 9:49 AM:

" Congratulations Bryan, Lodi lost it's best leader in this deal. I hope Elk Grove appreciates your talents more than Lodi did. "

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pooreastside wrote on Jul 17, 2009 8:59 AM:

" Congratulations for a job well done. Elk Grove will be fortunate to have you. Thank you for all your years of service here in Lodi. "

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