Rick Sanchez named Cathedral City’s first Latino Police Chief

Rick Sanchez has been appointed as the first Latino Chief of Police for Cathedral City, California. City Manager Andrew Firestine selected Sanchez following a nationwide recruitment process that incorporated community input through bilingual surveys and a diverse evaluation panel.

A 20-year veteran of the department, Sanchez joined in 2006 and has served in various capacities, including Patrol, Investigations, SWAT, and as Deputy Chief. He has overseen the Operations, Investigation, and Support Bureaus. His academic background includes a Master’s in Organizational Leadership and a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice.

Sanchez, who served as acting chief following the retirement of George Crum, will lead a department of approximately 81 sworn officers and professionals serving over 52,000 residents. He expressed gratitude for the appointment and emphasized a commitment to accountability, transparency, and community-oriented policing.