USD Magazine, Fall 2004

W HETHER BEING PULLED OVER FOR "FITTING THE PROFILE" ORB - ----- - S NATIONAL CITY'S N THE FORCE HAS FOR DECADES.

by Jennifer Coburn Photographs by Fred Greaves

W en his boss told him he'd never go far because of his accent, Adolfo Gonzales '96 (Ed.D.) didn't gee mad. He got curious. "I never knew there was any further for me co go," laughs National City's new police chief. "I thought I'd be a patrol officer my whole life, but she motivated me." It's been 26 years since his supervisor made char unthinking remark, and Gonzales isn't che sore to lee casual racism make him biccer - instead, che memory makes him smile. "If I saw her today, I'd thank her," he says. Behind the wheel of an unmarked police car, he deftly traverses the streets while talking about his ever-winding career path. The few people who glance into che car seem relieved when they notice chat che driver is wearing a uniform chat bears a badge. Residents here like to know there's a strong police presence in their neighborhood, and Gonzales obliges chat need for security with these daily drives. Keeping an eye on the community is pare of his daily routine. On chis day, he's en route to a school district meeting; much of his time in his new capacity as top cop - he was appointed chief in National City, Calif., just south of

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FALL 2004