Watsonville Police Chief Jorge Zamora announced his retirement this week after 30 years on the force. He was the department’s first first-generation Mexican-American to hold the position.
Zamora’s last official workday will be Aug. 30, the department said.
The chief has been a full-time officer since 1996, starting his trajectory as a cadet at the age of 15. He became chief in 2022.
“Thank you, Watsonville, for your trust, support, and partnership,” Zamora said in a statement released by the department Thursday. “I am especially grateful to this community for believing in a young man who grew up in a neighborhood where gang violence was prevalent, and expectations of success for children of farmworkers were low. The odds were against me, but you gave me the opportunity to rise, serve, and lead.”
In January, Zamora assured the city’s immigrant community that his department had no interest in facilitating the looming deportation operations of then-President-elect Donald Trump, saying that the immigrant community was an essential part of the city and that people shouldn’t be frightened to interact with police.
Zamora is credited with creating a chief’s advisory board, which connected the community to his office.
“Chief Zamora’s leadership has been instrumental in enhancing public safety and strengthening community trust,” said City Manager Tamara Vides. “We are grateful for his years of service and wish him all the best in retirement.”
Assistant Chief David Rodriguez will serve as interim police chief until a permanent chief is chosen, Vides said.