The new National City police chief is Manuel Rodriguez. As Chief, Rodriguez will oversee the Police Department’s $21.5 million budget, and a staff of one hundred and twenty, including eighty sworn officers.

Prior to joining the National City Police Department, Chief Rodriguez spent twenty years with the San Diego Police Department. Among his assignments, he served as a Sergeant in the Criminal Intelligence Unit, as a Service Area Lieutenant in some of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods, and as a Special Assistant to the Chief of Police.

Chief Rodriguez returned to his home town of National City as a Captain for the Police Department in 2005. He was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police in 2007 where he oversaw the day-to-day operation of the Police Department, managed the Department’s annual budget, oversaw the development of departmental goals and policies, and supervised the Investigations Division, Support Services Division, Homeland Security Division and Administrative Division.

Through these duties, Chief Rodriguez he has become uniquely well-versed in every aspect of the Department’s administration.

During Chief Rodriguez’ tenure with the National City Police Department, Community Oriented Policing and Problem Oriented Policing have been implemented which has resulted in a decrease in crime since 2006. Beginning in 2007, working for two years with the City Council, technology experts and the business community, Chief Rodriguez was instrumental in implementing the first Public Safety Camera Project in San Diego County.

Among his many accomplishments, Chief Rodriguez is a founding member and former President of the National Latino Police Officers Association San Diego Metro Chapter. In 2008, he received a “Lifetime Membership Award” from the association for his work in mentoring other members of law enforcement, and for his volunteer work. In 2002, Chief Rodriguez was chosen as an “Unsung Hero” by KSWB TV, a local television station, for his dedicated law enforcement service and community work.

In his appointment to Chief of Police, Rodriguez says “I am extremely honored and excited to continue to work with a wonderful community and elected leaders who constantly strive to increase the quality of life for the National City community and lead a team of professional law enforcement members who are talented, committed, caring and responsive.”

“We have a unique opportunity to hire within our own ranks so that it’s not only a person who is deeply familiar with our Police Department but also one who grew up in our City. This is truly a person who is homegrown.” said Mayor Ron Morrison.

Chief Rodriguez is a graduate of National City Middle School and Sweetwater High School.