Partnership 
Deputy Police Chief Robert W. Knill started his law enforcement career in the United States Air Force in 1982 and became an officer with the Watsonville Police Department in December 1986. Previous Watsonville PD assignments included Patrol, Traffic, Motorcycle Officer, Gangs, Field Training Officer (FTO), Narcotics, SCCNET Agent/ Supervisor, FTO Sergeant, Administration, In-Service Training, and Range Master.
In November 2000, Deputy Chief Knill left the Watsonville Police Department to become a special agent with the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. During his nine years with the DOJ/BNE, Deputy Chief Knill worked assignments in San Jose, Sacramento, and Redding that included Major Narcotics, Clandestine Labs, Training, Gangs, Violence Suppression, and Administration. Deputy Chief Knill served as the Commander of several North State narcotic task forces comprised of federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. He is an associate member of the California Police Chief's Association, a member of the California Association of Tactical Officers, and is a life time member of the California Narcotics Officers Association.
Deputy Chief Knill currently oversees the Department's Operations Division, which includes the Patrol Bureau, Community Services Bureau, Community Response Team, and Traffic Bureau. He holds a Bachelor of Public Administration from the University of San Francisco and a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from San Diego's National University. He also attended the Drug Enforcement Administration's Drug Unit Commander's Academy in Quantico, VA. Deputy Chief Knill, an Eagle Scout, has been a student of leadership and involved in promoting Scouting's values since the 1970s. He is currently a Law Enforcement Explorer Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America and became a member of Rotary International and the Elks Club in 2006.