California Police Chief- Fall 2013 CPCA_2018_Winter Magazine-FINAL | Page 31

THE SANTA ANA POLICE DEPARTMENT
IS LOOKING TO THE PAST TO IMPROVE THE FUTURE
Re-Setting the SAPD Standard of Excellence
By Sergio Enriquez, Sergeant, Adjutant to the Chief of Police, Santa Ana Police Department
In 2019, the Santa Ana Police Department (SAPD) will
be celebrating 150 years of providing law enforcement
services to the great people of Santa Ana. SAPD serves a
diverse residential population of 343,000, that increases to
well over half a million during the business week. Santa
Ana hosts various County, State, and Federal agencies, and
one foreign diplomatic mission. It is also home to a large
industrial and commercial business district that employs
thousands. It has a growing artists’ community of busi-
nesses located in the historic downtown area which include
upscale and trendy restaurants, making it a real “foodie”
dream.
As the city experiences a revitalization, so is the De-
partment. Leading the department’s revitalization is Chief
David Valentin, a 28-year veteran of SAPD. While being a
28-year veteran of the Department is incredible, what really
makes the Chief stand out is that he is the first SAPD Chief
to be born, raised and educated in the city of Santa Ana.
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