USD Magazine, Fall 2004

mid-summer sun this year, waiting to pay tribute to Gonzales on his last day of work for the SDPD before raking over as National City chief of police. Contreras calls it a demonstration of "the love the police and community have for him." And he cares deeply for those he works with as well. Not only does Gonzales have relationships with business owners, city leaders and pastors in the community, after just three weeks at his new job, he already knows the names of the 133 employees at the National City Police Department, ranging from the 87 officers to the custodian. He's a man who tends to earn respect as a matter of course. In a recent interview with the San Diego Union-1i·ibune, National City's city manager commented that during the interview process Gonzales already had devised a five-year plan to enhance police services, with a primary objective of reduc– ing crime among National City's 59,000 residents. His other main goal is to improve the image and reputation of the police department. "Historically, the city has been under– staffed," says Gonzales. "This means we haven't been as accessible to the media as we should. It's important to get the

"Ir took six years and many sacrifices to graduate from USD," he says, describing his rigorous schedule. "I went straight from work to school and missed a lot of dinners and family events. When we went to the supermarket, I brought my books and read chem as my family put groceries in the cart. Sometimes when they went shopping, I'd sir in the parking lot and write papers and study. " Immediately after graduating from USD, Gonzales was chosen to attend the highly competitive FBI National Academy and the Center for Creative Leadership in Washington, D.C. "I know if I hadn't been a USD grad, I wouldn't have been selected to partici– pate," says Gonzales. "I chose USD because of its excellent reputation; it pre– pared me to be the chief of police in today's law enforcement. The school has given me so much that I cannot repay everything I've learned." Selected from a nationwide pool of 27 applicants, Gonzales was hired by National City Mayor Nick Inzunza and City Manager Chris Zapata after having served for nearly three years as assistant chief of police of the SDPD. The unusually open process included three panel inter– views and a community forum. Ir's likely that his deep roots in the com– munity clinched the deal. "People would call me when there was a warrant out for their arrest and say they'd rather tum themselves in to me, so we made an appointment, " says Gonzales. "They knew I would treat them with respect, and they respected me. " BIG PLANS , BIGGER HEART SDPD Sgt. David Contreras wasn't sur– prised when 250 police personnel and community members stood in the hoc

FLUE NT lN GRAFFITl,

CH IEF GONZALES

UNDERSTANDS WHAT

TAGGlNG MEANS

AND PUTS IT IN A

CULTURAL CONTEXT.

only two in the Gonzales clan who work in law enforcement. "It's only by the grace of God that I didn't end up in a gang," he says. "Plus, I didn't want to embarrass my mother." PAYING THE DUES Throughout his 25 years on the force, Gonzales has steadily been promoted, rising through the ranks. This July, he reached an impressive milestone: He became the highest ranking Latino police officer in San Diego County and the first Latino chief of police in the history of National City. The road to the top took perseverance: While serving on the San Diego police force, Gonzales attended school at night, earning a bachelor's in public administra– tion from National University and a mas– ter's in education from San Diego State University. He earned his doctorate in leadership science from USD in 1996. Ir wasn't easy.

word our about what the police are doing, instead of having people rely on rumors. If the department doesn't share with the media, it looks like we're hiding something. My goal

is to open the department." Throwing the doors of the police station wide open and making sure light hits every comer is a worthy goal, but Gonzales tries to open up his heart as well. Toward that end, he mentors a· 13-year– old boy through the San Diego Teen Choice

Program; and surely Gonzales' soft, invit– ing voice helps put

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