SOLEDAD — City of Soledad has announced the appointment of Patrick G. Valenzuela as its new chief of police.
Valenzuela comes to Soledad from the Glendale Police Department in Glendale, Ariz., where he has served since 1996. During his tenure, he advanced from patrol officer to police lieutenant and most recently managed the Foothills Division, overseeing multiple specialized units including Property Crimes, the Neighborhood Response Unit,and School Liaison Officers. He also contributed significantly to strategic planning, budgeting and internal operations within the department.
Beyond his law enforcement career, Valenzuela has served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and the U.S. Navy, leading military police operations and supporting national security missions during several deployments.
He holds a master’s degree in leadership from Grand Canyon University and a bachelor’s in criminal justice from Kaplan University. In addition, he has completed several national leadership programs, including the FBI-LEEDA Command and Executive Leadership courses.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chief Patrick Valenzuela to Soledad,” stated City Manager Megan Hunter. “His extensive experience, commitment to community safety and leadership in law enforcement make him the perfect fit for this role. We’re confident that under his leadership, the Soledad Police Department will continue to strengthen its connection with our residents while enhancing public safety and trust.”
Valenzuela shared his vision for the department, saying, “Officers, your professionalism and dedication are the backbone of this department. My promise to you is strong leadership and steadfast support as we work to uphold the highest standards of law enforcement.”
“To our community, my pledge is simple: we will be visible, we will be responsive and we will work tirelessly alongside you to address our challenges and celebrate our successes,” he added. “Let’s move forward, united in our purpose to make this the safest place to live, work and raise a family.”
A swearing-in ceremony to officially welcome Valenzuela will be held Wednesday, July 16, at 5 p.m. at Soledad City Hall, Council Chambers, 248 Main St. The public is invited to attend and join in the celebration, which will include light refreshments following the ceremony.
“This will be an excellent opportunity to meet the new chief and show support for the Soledad Police Department,” stated the City.
