SW Valley Times

Goodyear officials have named a new police chief, according to Goodyear Independent. 

Santiago “Jimmy” Rodriguez was promoted to the police chief on May 18. Rodriguez was promoted to the position after serving as acting chief since October 2019.

“I’m so honored and humbled for this opportunity,” Rodriguez said in a recent press release. “I’m proud to be able to lead such a dedicated team in law enforcement in a city I love.”

Rodriguez, who is a veteran in law enforcement, has spent his entire 24-year law enforcement career moving higher and higher in rank within the department. He was born and raised in Arizona. He kick-started his career as a detention officer in 1996.

City Manager Julie Arendall describes Rodriguez as a dedicated public servant.

“Dedicated. That’s how I would describe Chief Rodriguez,” Arendall stated in the release. “He is a dedicated public servant who is highly-respected in the law enforcement community and has a proven track record of a strong commitment to community-driven policing.”

Rodriguez says partnering with the community is the key to safety.

“I truly believe that the key to a safer and better community is partnering with our residents,” Rodriguez said in the release. “Simply responding to 911 calls isn’t good enough for me. Interacting with our residents one-on-one each day helps us better understand who we serve in order to prevent crime and build a stronger city.”