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Chula Vista City Manager Gary Halbert has announced that Captain Roxana Kennedy will be appointed the 24th Chief of Police for the City. Kennedy is the first female Chief of Police for the City of Chula Vista that has a population of 265,000. She will replace retiring Chief David Bejarano.

“I am grateful for Chief Bejarano’s years of outstanding service and leadership,” said Mayor Mary Casillas Salas. “He is leaving the Police Department in good hands with Captain Roxana Kennedy. Her management of our police officers, implementing innovative initiatives, and advancing a culture of excellence will continue the City’s commitment to strong and safe communities.”

Captain Kennedy currently oversees the Patrol Operations Division of the Chula Vista Police Department (CVPD) and was Second in Command. The Patrol Division is the largest division in the police department and is composed of 67 percent of all sworn personnel. Kennedy oversees Patrol, Traffic, School Resource Officers, Street Team and Gang Suppression Unit, Community Policing Unit, Community Relations and Crime Analysis. In addition, this Division also includes canine units, Senior Volunteer Patrol, the Reserve Unit, Crisis Negotiations, SWAT, Mobile Field Force, bilingual services, and mental health assistance in coordination with the Psychiatric Emergency Response Teams (PERT).

“I am honored to finish my law enforcement career in Chula Vista,” said Police Chief David Bejarano. “Captain Kennedy is the ideal person to lead this department forward as we work together to maintain safe neighborhoods, advance technology to fight crime, and serve the community through collaboration.”

As an Officer, Kennedy established a reputation for an outstanding work ethic, professionalism, commitment to the community, and dedication to the job. Her passion for police work and providing the highest quality of service to the community quickly propelled her through the ranks to become Chula Vista’s first female Police Lieutenant and then in 2013, Police Captain.

Kennedy has worked various assignments throughout her career including Patrol Officer, Street Team Officer, Field Agent, Background Investigator, Patrol Sergeant, Street Team Sergeant, Watch Commander, Geographic Policing District Commander, and Investigative Division Lieutenant. During her career, she served on both the Crisis Negotiation Team and the Mobile Field Force Unit for 22 years, including 12 years as the Unit Commander for each team. In addition, Kennedy directs a very active Wellness/Peer Support Team for the Department.

Kennedy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from California Coast University. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Class #243 and serves on the FBI National California Chapter Board of Directors. She also serves as the President of the San Diego Chapter of Woman Leaders in Law Enforcement.

She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and volunteering with two non-profit organizations: Project Compassion providing medical aid to those in need throughout the world and Athletes for Education helping at risk youth in disadvantaged areas within San Diego County.

The new Chief will be sworn in December 30, 2016. Details of the ceremony will be announced soon.