Darrick Jacob appointed as Santa Monica Chief of Police
December 19, 2025 9:52 AM
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (Dec. 19, 2025) — City Manager Oliver Chi has announced the appointment of Darrick Jacob as Santa Monica’s next Chief of Police.
Jacob has served with the Santa Monica Police Department since 2004 and has been acting chief since August 2025. His appointment reflects more than two decades of service to the city and a leadership approach centered on accountability, professionalism, and community trust.
“Chief Jacob is one of the most exceptional leaders that I have had the privilege of working with in my career,” Chi said. “He brings deep institutional knowledge, exceptional judgment, and a calm, values-driven approach to leadership. During a period of real complexity for our city, he has led with humility, integrity, motivation, and care, and in the process, has earned the trust of both the organization and our community. I have complete confidence in his ability to lead the department forward with professionalism, accountability, and purpose.”
Jacob’s appointment is also significant for the department, as he is the first internal candidate selected to serve as Santa Monica’s Chief of Police in more than 40 years, reflecting both his deep institutional knowledge and the City’s confidence in the strength, professionalism, and leadership capacity within the Santa Monica Police Department.
During his tenure with SMPD, Jacob has served in a variety of leadership and operational roles, including Deputy Chief beginning in 2020. His experience spans patrol operations, investigations, organizational management, and citywide public safety coordination. Prior to joining SMPD, Jacob served with the Northridge Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He is also a veteran of the United States Navy.
As acting chief, Jacob has demonstrated an ability to align strategy, deployment, and culture around clear priorities while maintaining trust across the organization and the community. He has refocused the department’s operations around four core priorities: crime reduction, homelessness, traffic safety, and community and youth engagement. These priorities guide deployment decisions, enforcement strategies, and partnerships across the city.
A central component of Jacob’s leadership approach is increasing officer visibility throughout the city, including a renewed emphasis on foot beats, bike patrols, and high-visibility deployments in neighborhood, commercial, and pedestrian-heavy areas. These strategies are intended to deter crime, improve response, and strengthen day-to-day connections between officers and the community.
“Our responsibility is not only to reduce crime, but also to address the fear of crime that impacts how people experience their city,” Jacob said. “We are committed to proactive, fair enforcement, strong coordination across units, and visible presence where it matters most.”
Under Jacob’s leadership, the department has reached full sworn staffing for the first time in nearly two decades, supported by City Council approval of additional over-hire positions. This staffing milestone has allowed for expanded patrol coverage, increased downtown presence, and enhanced coordination with specialized units such as the Homeless Liaison Program and Downtown Services Unit.
“Public safety is a shared responsibility,” Jacob said. “Trust is built one interaction at a time, and every member of this department plays a role in building those relationships—with residents, businesses, and visitors alike.”
Chief Jacob holds a bachelor’s degree in health science and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Northridge.
His appointment is effective as of Dec. 14. He will be sworn into service on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at 10 a.m. The public can view live on the City’s YouTube channel.
Media Contact
Tati Simonian
Public Information Officer
Tati.Simonian@santamonica.gov
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