NATIONAL CITY (CNS) - A 53-year-old National City native has been promoted to chief of police of the South Bay city, it was reported Tuesday.
Manuel Rodriguez, formerly an assistant chief of police for the National City Police Department, was chosen to succeed Chief Adolfo Gonzales, U-T San Diego reported. Last month, Gonzales accepted a position as the head of the Bureau of Investigation at the District Attorney's Office.
As police chief, Rodriguez will oversee a $21.5 million budget and a staff of 120, including 80 sworn officers, City Manager Leslie Deese said in a statement, according to the newspaper.
Salary details were expected to be released later Tuesday.
Rodriguez told U-T San Diego on Monday night that his appointment is the fulfillment of a longtime goal to conclude his career in law enforcement at the top.
He joined the NCPD in 2005 as a captain and was promoted to assistant police chief in 2007. Rodriguez served 20 years with the San Diego Police Department prior to moving to National City.
He said the move to National City gave him an opportunity for greater responsibility and better preparation to be a police chief, according to the newspaper.
The move was also a homecoming of sorts for Rodriguez, who graduated Sweetwater High School, where he served as student body president.
