David Valentin
Chief of Police
David Valentin was selected Chief of Police for the Santa Ana Unified School District in May 2009. Chief Valentin has twenty years of experience with the City of Santa Ana Police Department. He most recently served as a Santa Ana Police Commander – a position in which he gained formal experience as Acting Deputy Chief of the Administration Bureau and Human Resources Division Commander. Other assignments over the course of his career include Police Lieutenant in Field Operations and Westend Division Commander; Chairman of the Shooting Review Board; Commander of the Equestrian (Mounted Patrol) Unit; Police Sergeant in patrol and Professional Standards (Internal Affairs); Police Corporal where he led an investigative section in the Crimes Against Persons Division (Child Abuse/Molest & Child Homicide Section); and Gang Detail Investigator. In the earlier part of his career, he also served as a School Resource Officer under the jurisdiction of the Santa Ana Police Department for both Century and Santa Ana High School, after working as a patrol officer.
Chief Valentin received both an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Studies in 1990 and an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Santa Ana College in 1992, where he was honored in 2008 with a Distinguished Alumni Award from the Community College League of California. Chief Valentin was one of only five in California to receive the award, which honors individuals who are “accomplished professionals and contributing citizens of their communities.” Chief Valentin was also inducted into the Santa Ana College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2008, in recognition of his “documented distinction and achievement through professional and/or personal efforts since leaving Santa Ana College.” In 2010, Chief Valentin was selected to the “Latino OC 100”, for his positive contributions to the Latino community in Orange County.
Chief Valentin received both his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology (Psychology Emphasis) and Master of Public Administration (Human Resources Emphasis) degree from California State University, Fullerton in 1995 and 2001, respectively. Chief Valentin is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA; the Westpoint Leadership Program and the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College. Chief Valentin is also a graduate of the FBI-LEEDA and California POST Executive Development courses. Chief Valentin has served as an Associate Instructor at Rancho Santiago Community College District in the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy Advanced Officer Training Program; also, has served as a Department Instructor within the Santa Ana Police Department. He is a member of the California Police Chiefs Association and the International Police Chiefs Association (IACP).
Chief Valentin is extensively involved in the community, currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Ana. Chief Valentin is an active member of “Fight Crime: Invest in Kids”, a nationwide crime prevention organization. Chief Valentin has also served as a California Community College, UC and CSU Delegate in support of public higher education at the State Capitol. Born and raised in central Santa Ana, Chief Valentin is a proud product of the City of Santa Ana and the Santa Ana Unified School District, graduating from Saddleback High School. He is married with two children.
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