City of Soledad Appoints Patrick G. Valenzuela as Chief of Police

 

City of Soledad Officials announced on Wednesday, July 9 that Patrick G. Valenzuela has been appointed as its new Chief of Police. Chief Valenzuela joins the Soledad PD from the Glendale Police Department in Glendale, Arizona where he served since 1996 as he rose through the ranks from patrol officer to police lieutenant, while he most recently oversaw the Foothills Division, supervising multiple specialized units including Property Crimes, the Neighborhood Response Unit and School Liaison Officers. He also played a key role in strategic planning, budgeting and internal operations for the department. 

In addition to his law enforcement background, Valenzuela has also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and U.S. Navy where he led military police operations and supported national security missions during multiple deployments. 

Valenzuela holds a Master's degree in Leadership from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Kaplan University. He is also a graduate of several national leadership programs including the FBI-LEEDA Command and Executive Leadership courses. 

City Manager Megan Hunter stated that "We are thrilled to welcome Chief Valenzuela to Soledad. His extensive experience, commitment to community safety, and leadership in law enforcement make him the perfect fit for this role. We're confident that under his leadership, the Soledad Police Department will continue to strengthen its connection with our residents while enhancing public safety and trust."

Chief Valenzuela expressed his gratitude and vision for the department stating, "Officers, your professionalism and dedication are the backbone of this department. My promise to you is strong leadership and steadfast support as we work to uphold the highest standards of law enforcement. To our community, my pledge is simple: we will be visible, we will be responsive, and we will work tirelessly alongside you to address our challenges and celebrate our successes. Let's move forward united in our purpose to make this the safest place to live, work and raise a family."

A swearing-in ceremony will be held to officially welcome Chief Valenzuela on Wednesday night, July 16 at 6 pm. The public is invited to attend and join in the celebration with light refreshments following the ceremony. This will be an excellent opportunity to meet the new Chief and show support for the Soledad Police Department.