Skip to main content

Swalwell Announces State of the Union Guest

January 8, 2016

Swalwell will bring Fremont’s Police Chief, a gun violence prevention advocate

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell (CA-15) today announced he will bring Fremont Chief of Police Richard Lucero as his guest for the 2016 State of the Union address on Tuesday, January 12. In addition to being an exemplary police chief, Chief Lucero is a supporter of commonsense gun violence prevention reforms to keep the community safe and has taken steps to promote positive relations between the department and community. Under his leadership, the Fremont Police Department sponsored a successful gun buyback program, and Chief Lucero believes more must be done to address the epidemic of gun violence facing our country.

“I am excited to welcome Chief Lucero to the U.S. Capitol as my State of the Union guest. As a public safety leader, Chief Lucero understands America’s gun violence epidemic. Chief Lucero and I both believe America’s leaders can do more to protect the innocent in our communities,” said Rep. Swalwell.

“I am grateful to be Congressman Swalwell’s guest at the State of the Union address. As a member of the law enforcement profession, I understand the tragic impact and loss caused by gun violence. I have given a great deal of consideration to this issue and am of the opinion we must change the way we deal with firearms in our communities. As a nation, we have to find a way to be more effective in preventing violent offenders and those suffering from serious mental illness from having access to firearms. I very much appreciate Congressman Swalwell’s invitation at such a critical time,” said Chief Lucero.

President Obama recently took executive actions to expand background checks, make sure gun dealers are licensed, and increase mental health treatment. Swalwell is supporting many gun violence prevention measures, such as a bipartisan bill that would require universal background checks for firearms by closing the “gun show loophole” and the Assault Weapons Ban of 2015, which would establish an assault weapons ban nationwide similar to the one California already has.

Police Chief Richard Lucero

Richard Lucero has served with the Fremont Police Department since 1987. He was appointed interim chief in January before being promoted to chief in April of 2013. His past assignments have included Patrol, SWAT, Street Crimes, Internal Affairs, and Narcotics. He is a graduate of POST Command College (Class 40) and a life­time member of the California Narcotic Officers’ Association.

He is also a graduate of San Jose State University and Santa Clara University School of Law. He received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in the study of local government law and is a member of the California State Bar. Chief Lucero is a volunteer with Officers Give Hope, a law enforcement oriented non-profit dedicated to facilitating and encouraging peace officers to join the National Marrow Donor Registry. He is a past president of the California Peace Officers’ Association. He is also a member of the IACP Patrol Tactics Committee. Chief Lucero is the executive chair of the Alameda County Technology Committee and is one of the representatives of the Alameda County Chiefs on the Community Corrections Partnership for Alameda County. He also represents the association as the voting member for Homeland Security grant administration.