Nominee Would Be First Latino to Head San Diego Police Department
David Bejarano, 42, a 20-year veteran of the San Diego Police Department, has been nominated to be the force’s next chief, officials said Friday. He would become the first Latino to hold that position.
Bejarano, a former Marine, was an assistant chief under Jerry Sanders, who retired April 16 after six years to become executive director of the local United Way chapter. Along with other high-profile assignments, Bejarano supervised security during the Republican National Convention in 1996 and the Super Bowl in 1998.
He was selected by City Manager Michael Uberuaga from eight finalists, including former Los Angeles Deputy Police Chief Mark Kroeker. Under the City Charter, the council must now confirm or reject Bejarano. The council is set to consider the nomination Monday, with confirmation considered a sure bet.
In San Diego, the police chief works for the city manager and may be dismissed at any time for any reason. Sanders was paid $135,000 a year to lead the 2,000-member agency.
The department prides itself on being a leader in community-oriented policing, a program Bejarano has pledged to continue. Under Sanders, San Diego saw a sharp drop in crime, earning it the reputation as the safest big city in the nation.
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