Candidate for
Chief of Police; City of Santa Clara

Rich Rodriquez was born in San Jose in 1955. His family were migrant farm workers and they moved through the southwestern States picking grapes, peas, potatoes, prunes and cotton. He attended Overfelt H.S. and his academic studies were concentrated in math, physics and science. As a senior he was one of two students selected from the U.S. to tour the Far East and participate in a series of international seminars on nuclear energy. He graduated with honors and received numerous scholarships. Instead of going straight into college, Rich served in the U.S. Army as a nuclear weapons specialist, with a Top Secret security clearance. His duties included nuclear warhead inspection and installation. In Europe, he was trained and assigned to an Emergency Response Team in the Mission Control of a missile unit.

Rich attended Evergreen Valley College and graduated as the Valedictorian of the class with an AA degree in Administration of Justice. In August 1977, he was hired by the City of Santa Clara and finished the Police Academy at the top of his class. After months of Field Training, he hit the streets to begin a very exciting career.

During his 23 years on the force, Rich has established a solid reputation for outstanding police work. He has been commended many times for his hard work, communication skill and his humanistic approach to law enforcement. Having investigated hundreds of criminal cases, he has accumulated an impressive amount of knowledge and experience:

Assigned to the Santa Clara County Narcotics Bureau as an undercover narcotics Agent for 3 years. The highlight of his assignment was the successful investigation of a 3 million dollar theft of semiconductors from Monolithic Memories.

Completed the Management Certificate Program at Mission College. The program included various courses on leadership, management, interpersonal communications, financial accounting and budgeting.

Joined the new Special Enforcement Team. After 3 years, came an assignment to the Detective Division to complete a massive case that began as a brutal robbery of a Santa Clara family. This six-month investigation led to the arrest of six suspects responsible for over 140 felony cases.

Fifteen years as a Field Training Officer.

Being bi-lingual, Rich has been assigned on numerous occasions to assist in homicide and rape cases involving Spanish speaking persons. These investigations have taken him to the streets of Mexico City and the jungles of Oxaxca.

In 1994, he was sent to the new Regional Auto Theft Task Force, as an undercover Investigator for 3 years.

Past President of the Santa Clara County Auto Theft Investigators Association.

Twelve years Member of the Board of Directors for the California Law Enforcement Association.

Member of the Santa Clara Police Officers Association Board of Directors.

Member of the City of Santa Clara Citizen's Advisory Committee.

Treasurer for the Santa Clara Sister Cites Association.

Promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1997.

Currently assigned as the Admin Traffic Supervisor.

The citizens of Santa Clara are fortunate to have a Police Force that many have considered the most talented Law Enforcement Agency in the State of California.

Rich has always been very proud of the City where he lives and of the Department where he works. He has the intelligence, experience, imagination and work ethic to do an outstanding job as our Chief of Police. His leadership, organizational skills and commitment to people have been demonstrated time and time again.