Watsonville Chief of Police announces retirement after 30 years
Jeanette Bent
WATSONVILLE, Calif. (KION-TV) — Chief Jorge Zamora announced his retirement Thursday after over 30 years serving the Watsonville Police Department.
He says that his last official workday will be August 30, 2025.
Chief Zamora’s office says that he started his police career as a cadet at age 15 before becoming a full-time officer in 1996.
“Throughout his career, he served in patrol, SWAT, narcotics, detectives, and as a youth mentor and instructor,” wrote the City of Watsonville Thursday. “In 2022, he became Watsonville’s 16th Chief of Police and the first first-generation Mexican-American to hold the position.”
During his time with the Watsonville Police, Chief Zamora faced many challenges, including staffing shortages and evolving community expectations around public safety.
He created a Chief’s Advisory Board and increased community engagement efforts.
“I am especially grateful to this community for believing in a young man who grew up in a neighborhood where gang violence was prevalent, and expectations for success for children of farmworkers were low,” said Chief Zamora. “The odds were against me, but you gave me the opportunity to rise, serve, and lead.”
City Manager Tamara Vides will appoint Assistant Chief David Rodriguez as Interim Police Chief until a permanent replacement is named.