City of Santa Cruz Appoints Jose Garcia as Interim Police Chief

City Manager Matt Huffaker has appointed Deputy Chief Jose Garcia to serve as Interim Chief of Police for the Santa Cruz Police Department following the retirement of Police Chief Bernie Escalante. Garcia will assume the role effective October 31, 2026. 

Garcia brings more than 25 years of experience with the Santa Cruz Police Department and extensive leadership experience across the department’s operational and administrative functions. He has served as Deputy Chief of Police since September 2020, overseeing department operations and helping lead efforts related to personnel development, recruitment and training, crime reduction, community policing and organizational improvement. 

“Jose has dedicated his career to serving Santa Cruz and has earned the trust and respect of his colleagues and community partners throughout more than two decades of service,” said City Manager Matt Huffaker. “His deep knowledge of the department, commitment to our community and extensive leadership experience will provide important continuity for SCPD during this transition. I’m grateful to Jose for stepping into this role and continuing to lead the department forward.” 

Garcia’s career with SCPD began as a police volunteer in 1996. He later served as a Police Community Service Aide and Community Service Officer before becoming a sworn police officer in 2001. During his career as an officer, Garcia served in patrol and investigations, including assignments involving narcotics, criminal street gangs, and major assaults and homicide. His specialized assignments included the Emergency Services Unit, canine unit, hostage negotiation and serving in the professional standards unit. He also co-coordinated the Citizens Police Academy, teaching sessions in both English and Spanish. 

Garcia was promoted to sergeant in 2012 and lieutenant in 2016. As a lieutenant, he oversaw daily patrol operations and specialized units, including canine, hostage negotiations, and served as the commanding officer for the Neighborhood Policing Team. He also oversaw the Emergency Services Unit and coordinated responses to critical incidents and high-risk operations. 

Since becoming Deputy Chief in 2020, Garcia has helped oversee staffing, deployments, department policies and training, crime reduction and prevention strategies, and employee recruitment and development.  His work has also included partnerships with government and community organizations to integrate mental health professionals into calls for service and divert mental health crisis calls. 

“It is an honor to step into this role and continue serving the community and department that have been such an important part of my life and career,” Garcia said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work for the dedicated women and men of the Santa Cruz Police Department, and I look forward to building on the strong work already underway while continuing to support our employees and provide the highest level of service to our community.” 

Garcia holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento. His professional development includes the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management Institute for Police, the California Police Chiefs Association Executive Leadership Certificate Program, and the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. Garcia is also certified bilingual in Spanish through the City of Santa Cruz.