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POLICE CHIEF CARLOS ACOSTA
The Office of the Chief sets the strategic direction for the Salinas Police Department. The Police Chief is responsible for overseeing various areas, including public relations, finance, administration, and community outreach. This encompasses strategic planning, budgeting, policy development, payroll management, purchasing, grant administration, the Professional Standards Unit, the Foundation, and labor relations.
The Assistant Police Chief directly supports the Chief of Police and assists with planning, budgeting, staff supervision, and public relations on specific projects. The Assistant Chief supervises the Division Commanders and serves as Chief of Police if/when Chief is absent.
“My vision is to lead this police department as a model of effective and ethical law enforcement, dedicated to serving our community and staff.”
– Police Chief Acosta –
CHIEF'S CREDENTIALS
Police Chief Carlos Acosta is a highly accomplished law enforcement professional with 27 years of distinguished service, including seven years as a police commander actively leading and mentoring teams while fostering strategic community partnerships. Since November 2024, he has proudly served as the Chief of Police for the City of Salinas, bringing visionary leadership, operational expertise, and a steadfast commitment to public safety.
Recent Leadership Accomplishments
Prior to his current role, Acosta served as Police Captain of the Bureau of Investigations at the San Jose Police Department. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in advancing the department’s investigative functions, supervising and managing specialized units including Homicide, Robbery, Financial Crimes/Central ID, the high-risk felon apprehension team, and the Court Liaison Unit.
During his tenure, the San Jose Police Department achieved an exceptional 100% clearance rate for homicides, a remarkable accomplishment compared to the national average clearance rate of approximately 51%. This milestone underscores Acosta’s leadership and dedication to investigative excellence.
As Bureau Commander, Acosta also oversaw department-assigned liaisons to state and federal law enforcement agencies, facilitating seamless coordination and ensuring that investigative efforts aligned with the highest standards of excellence.
Before this, Acosta commanded the Bureau of Field Operations, Central Division, where he supervised over 140 personnel providing patrol services to more than 230,000 residents in San Jose’s downtown core. He spearheaded the creation/implementation of the Mobile Crisis Assessment Team (MCAT), a groundbreaking mental health response unit pairing specially trained officers with clinicians to address community mental health crises. Additionally, he partnered with the Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Department to establish the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT) model, advancing compassionate and community-focused crisis intervention strategies.
Education and Professional Development
Chief Acosta has earned an impressive array of educational and professional credentials, including:
- Master of Science in Public Leadership – Law Enforcement, University of San Diego (August 2017)
- Executive Development Course, Peace Officers Standards and Training (April 2024)
- Senior Management Institute in Policing (SMIP) – June 2023
- Graduate of Tools for Tolerance® Leadership Program, Sept. 2022
- Silicon Valley Chamber of Commerce (2020)
- Professional Affiliations & Community Involvement
Chief Acosta is deeply invested in community engagement and professional development. He is a Spanish for Law Enforcement P.O.S.T.-certified instructor, and a Procedural Justice Instructor committed to equitable and fair law enforcement practices. As a Spanish language Academy Instructor, he has actively promoted inclusivity and trust-building within law enforcement and community relationships.
As co-founder of TWINS4TOYS, a nonprofit organization supporting underprivileged children, he received numerous accolades, including recognition from NBC3, NFL, Raiders Organization, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The City of Salinas Police Department is proud to have Carlos Acosta as its leader, guiding the organization with integrity, innovation, and a vision for a safer and more inclusive community.
LETTER FROM THE CHIEF
Carlos Acosta
POLICE CHIEF
As Chief of Police, I am deeply honored to serve the Salinas community and lead the Salinas Police Department. With 27 years of experience in law enforcement, I bring a commitment to fostering safety, trust, and collaboration within our diverse community. My career has been dedicated to innovative policing strategies, effective leadership, and community engagement—all with the goal of making my community a safe and welcoming city for everyone.
I believe in a proactive and community-centered approach to policing. By building strong partnerships with residents, businesses, and local organizations, we can enhance public safety while upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Together, we can address challenges, celebrate successes, and create meaningful solutions that benefit all.
In 2024 alone, the Salinas Police Department removed over 200 firearms from our streets and achieved significant reductions in robberies, assaults, burglaries, and homicides. These accomplishments reflect the dedication and bravery of the men and women of the department who work tirelessly to keep our city safe.
My vision is to lead a police department that serves as a model for effective and ethical law enforcement. By leveraging technology, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and prioritizing community voices, I aim to ensure that every resident of Salinas feels heard, respected, and protected. The City of Salinas deserves a department that reflects its values, embraces diversity, and continuously strives to improve.
My promise is to work tirelessly to enhance public safety, reduce violent crime, and improve the quality of life for all. Let’s work together to make a difference.
Carlos Acosta
Chief of Police, Salinas Police Department
As a department, we are committed to prioritize:
- Public Safety Strategy: Developing innovative approaches to reduce crime and improve the quality of life for all residents.
- Community Partnerships: Strengthening relationships by engaging, educating, and empowering our community to be part of the process and solutions.
- Workforce Development: Recruiting and retaining talented officers and staff while providing the resources and mentorship needed for exceptional service.
- Training and Excellence: Investing in training and development to ensure our team is equipped, compassionate, and prepared to meet the complexities of modern policing.
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