Rick Armendariz, who has been serving as the Deputy Chief of the Anaheim Police Department since 2019, will be taking over as the city’s new Chief of Police. The Anaheim City Council approved Armendariz’s contract on July 18, making him the 37th chief in the department’s 153-year history.
In a press release issued by the city, it was stated that Armendariz’s appointment brings continuity to the department and is expected to continue advancing community policing efforts and addressing key issues such as homelessness, drug problems, burglaries, traffic violations, and other law enforcement matters that affect the quality of life in Anaheim.
According to the terms of his contract, Armendariz will receive an annual salary of slightly over $310,000. To select the new chief, the city conducted a two-month recruitment process that involved input from various stakeholders through a review panel.
Armendariz’s law enforcement career began in 1995 when he joined the Modesto Police Department as an officer. Over the years, he steadily climbed the ranks and held positions such as detective, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and assistant police chief. Additionally, he gained valuable experience during his two-year tenure as the interim deputy city manager for Modesto. In that role, he successfully revitalized community programs, established new cadet positions, implemented a live crime center, introduced new policing software, and initiated crime intelligence meetings.
Armendariz relocated to Anaheim in 2019 and assumed the role of Deputy Chief in the city’s police force. He brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his position as Chief of Police. He is a proud graduate of the Senior Management Institution of Boston University and the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Furthermore, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in emergency services administration from California State University-Long Beach and a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice from Chapman University.
The current Chief of Police, Jorge Cisneros, announced his retirement earlier this year and will officially step down in August after serving for five years. As the new Chief of Police, Armendariz will be responsible for overseeing nearly 600 employees, including sworn officers, detectives, investigators, pilots, K-9 officers, SWAT personnel, and mounted unit officers and horses.
With his extensive experience and dedication to community-oriented policing, the city of Anaheim is confident that Chief Armendariz will lead the police department effectively and address the pressing issues that impact the safety and well-being of its residents. The swearing-in ceremony for Chief Armendariz will take place on August 18, marking a new chapter in the history of the Anaheim Police Department.
Source link
