Behind the Badge
The term “servant leader” was brought up a number of times during the ceremony of new Santa Ana Chief of Police Robert Rodriguez while he was taking the Oath of Office, and the theme has been reflected many times in his two-month tenure at the helm of the department.
Whether it was the original December announcement of his promotion to Chief on a grade-school hardtop in West Santa Ana or sharing the spotlight at his oath ceremony with the promotions of his executive staff, Rodriguez continues to display modesty and inclusiveness in his tenure.
“That’s him, totally,” said Paul Walters, a former Santa Ana Police Chief, City Manager, and Chief of the Investigations Bureau for the Orange County District Attorney, of the humility displayed by Rodriguez.
The Santa Ana Police Color Guard performs during the Oath of Office Ceremony for Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez as well as a Promotional Ceremony for Santa Ana Police Deputy Chiefs Chuck Elms, Roland Andrade and Jose Gonzalez, at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
In front of a full house in the auditorium of the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana on Jan. 30, Rodriguez was given the oath by his son, Robert Michael, to become the 22nd Police Chief for the City of Santa Ana.
Rodriguez was accompanied by his family; his wife, Rachael, who did the ceremonial pinning of his badge; daughters Brooklyn and Makayla; brother, Leo; and cousins, friends, and mentors. Also on hand were a large contingent of Santa Ana police officers, city council members and staff, and police chiefs from throughout Orange County and beyond.
Chief Rodriguez, the four stars on the lapel of his dress uniform gleaming in the stage lights, placed his left hand on a Bible supplied by one of his daughters, and raised his right hand swearing to “protect and defend.”
From left to right, Brooklyn, Makayla, and Robert Michael Rodriguez look on as their mother, Rachel, pins a badge on their father, Robert Rodriguez, during his Oath of Office Ceremony for Santa Ana Police Chief. The ceremony was held at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
While many leaders choose to have well-known leaders or mentors issue the oath, Rodriguez wanted to recognize the importance of family and generations. Even the Bible, adorned with a compass image on the cover, had significance.
“We have to maintain a true north,” Rodriguez said of the symbolic art.
The department used the occasion to announce the promotions of Chuck Elms, Roland Andrade, and Jose Gonzalez, who were named as Deputy Chiefs of Field Operations, Administrative, and Investigations, respectively.
Robert Michael Rodriguez, from left, Rachel Rodriguez, Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez, daughters Brooklyn and Makayla, during Rodriguez’s Oath of Office Ceremony held at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
All about service
“He’s the symbol of a true servant leader,” Andrade said. “Him including us exemplifies that.”
“He was willing to share his big moment. That speaks volumes,” Gonzalez added.
That inclusiveness extends throughout the department. A day before the ceremony, Elms noted that Rodriguez held a promotion ceremony for officers, non-sworn personnel and police academy graduates collectively.
“It’s a testament to what he’s trying to do to build unity,” Elms said.
Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua echoed those themes, saying “I admire and commend Chief Rodriguez’s decision to combine this ceremony not for efficiency, but to highlight the unity that will guide SAPD into the future.”
Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez is sworn in by his son, Robert Michael Rodriguez, as from left to right, his daughters Brooklyn, Makayla, and wife Rachael Rodriguez look on during Chief Rodriguez’s Oath of Office Ceremony, held at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
For all the talk about humility and service, Rodriguez’s climb to chief is undergirded by a hardscrabble youth, drive, and determination.
Rodriguez was born in Tijuana and brought north at a young age to Santa Ana by his undocumented parents. Although his family spent stints in surrounding areas, Rodriguez always considered Santa Ana as home.
After graduating from high school, Rodriguez spent six years in the Marine Corps and was deployed overseas where he was part of several operations, such as the evacuation of diplomats from the U.S. Embassy in Mogadishu, Somalia, and Desert Storm in Iraq.
Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez is sworn in by his son, Robert Michael Rodriguez, during an Oath of Office Ceremony at Bowers Museum in Santa Ana on January 30, 2025.
Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Rodriguez joined the Los Angeles Police Department shortly after leaving the Marines. After working in Watts and Boyle Heights, and in gang units in Los Angeles, he joined the Santa Ana Police Department, where his brother Leo was an officer, in 2000. Starting in patrol, he steadily climbed the department ladder.
An advocate of lifetime learning, he earned a Master’s in Public Administration and is on track for a doctorate at USC. He has also attended and graduated from numerous professional certificate programs and academies, and serves on a number of boards and committees.
Rodriguez had been serving as acting chief since Nov. 2, 2023.
Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez is congratulated after being sworn in by his son, Robert Michael Rodriguez, as from left to right, his daughters Brooklyn, Makayla, and wife Rachael Rodriguez look on during the Oath of Office Ceremony held at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Rodriguez became emotional when speaking about his mother, the enduring lessons she imparted, and her sacrifices raising the family, often as a de facto single parent.
“Never did I imagine I’d be here in the very place that shaped me, as the Chief of Police,” he said. “I’m a reflection of those who paved the way.”
Rodriguez said he stands for a department that not only serves all, but embraces and fully represents the community. Concluding his prepared remarks, Rodriguez said, “This is our moment, this is our mission, today we will show what it means to serve with honor.”
Santa Ana Police Department Deputy Chief Chuck Helms has his badge pinned on by his wife, Cara, during his Promotional Ceremony, held at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.
Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Department Deputy Chief Chuck Helms after his badge was pinned on by his wife, Cara, during his Promotional Ceremony on Jan. 30. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Department Deputy Chief Jose Gonzalez has his badge pinned on by his wife, Kristy, during his Promotional Ceremony, held at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Department Deputy Chief Jose Gonzalez with his wife, Maria, left, and his daughters, Khaya and Kamryn, during his Promotional Ceremony. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Department Deputy Chief Chuck Helms, center, and his wife, Cara, left, and son during his Promotional Ceremony on Jan. 30. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Department Deputy Chief Chuck Helms, center, and his wife, Cara, left, and son during his Promotional Ceremony, held at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez speaks during his Oath of Office Ceremony, held at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, on Jan. 30, 2025. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez speaks during his Oath of Office Ceremony, held at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez after his Oath of Office Ceremony. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Chief Robert Rodriguez with SAPD Chaplin Rupert Vega after Chief Rodriguez’s Oath of Office Ceremony. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
From left to right, Council member Thai Viet Phan, Santa Ana Police Department Deputy Chiefs Jose Gonzalez and Chuck Elms, Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua, Police Chief Robert Rodriguez, City Manager Alvaro Nuñez, Council member Phil Bacerra, and Council member David Penaloza, during an SAPD Promotional Ceremony on Jan. 30. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Department Deputy Chief Jose Gonzalez and his family from left to right, daughters Madison, Lauren, Lyla, and his wife, Kristy, during his Promotional Ceremony. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Department Deputy Chief Jose Gonzalez and his family from left to right, daughters Madison, Lauren, Lyla, and his wife, Kristy, during his Promotional Ceremony. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
Santa Ana Police Department Deputy Chief Jose Gonzalez has his badge pinned on by his wife, Kristy, during his Promotional Ceremony. Photo by Stephen Carr/for Behind the Badge
