NATIONAL CITY: South Bay native promoted to police chief

(CNS) – A 53-year-old National City native has been
promoted to chief of police of the South Bay city, it was reported Tuesday.

Manuel Rodriguez, formerly an assistant chief of police for the National
City Police Department, was chosen to succeed Chief Adolfo Gonzales, U-T San
Diego reported. Last month, Gonzales accepted a position as the head of the
Bureau of Investigation at the District Attorney's Office.

As police chief, Rodriguez will oversee a $21.5 million budget and a
staff of 120, including 80 sworn officers, City Manager Leslie Deese said in a
statement, according to the newspaper.

Salary details were expected to be released later Tuesday.

Rodriguez told U-T San Diego on Monday night that his appointment is the
fulfillment of a longtime goal to conclude his career in law enforcement at
the top.

He joined the NCPD in 2005 as a captain and was promoted to assistant
police chief in 2007. Rodriguez served 20 years with the San Diego Police
Department prior to moving to National City.

He said the move to National City gave him an opportunity for greater
responsibility and better preparation to be a police chief, according to the
newspaper.

The move was also a homecoming of sorts for Rodriguez, who graduated
Sweetwater High School, where he served as student body president.