By Gina Yarbrough
Oceanside, CA—The City of Oceanside confirmed that Oceanside Police Chief Kedrick Sadler will retire this week, effective November 10.
City leaders expressed their gratitude to Chief Sadler for his dedicated public service and commitment to community engagement. His distinguished 24-year career showcased his rise through the ranks and his lasting impact on Oceanside’s public safety. Over the years, he served as a patrol officer, canine handler, detective, and ultimately, police chief.
Oceanside City Manager Jonathan Borrego expressed the city’s appreciation for Chief Sadler’s commitment.
“We thank Chief Sadler for his long and dedicated service to the Oceanside community. He’s led the Police Department with the utmost integrity, transparency, and commitment,” Borrego said.
Borrego also announced Assistant Police Chief Taurino Valdovinos as Sadler’s successor. Valdovinos, with extensive experience and deep ties to the community, is set to become the city’s next police chief on November 11. Borrego praised Valdovinos’s approach to leadership and vision, emphasizing his focus on professionalism, transparency, community engagement, and innovative policing strategies. To strengthen the department’s relationship with the community, Valdovinos has planned a series of community listening sessions, inviting residents to share their perspectives and insights on public safety in Oceanside.
Chief Sadler voiced his confidence in Valdovinos’s ability to lead the Oceanside Police Department.
“I have all the faith in the world that Assistant Chief Valdovinos will make an outstanding police chief and lead our department into the future. He has accomplished so much in the Oceanside community. I hope you’ll join me in congratulating him,” Sadler said.
Valdovinos joined the Oceanside Police Department in 2003 and has held multiple roles, from patrol officer to his current position as assistant chief. His background includes serving as a patrol supervisor, working undercover in gang enforcement, and being a certified gang expert in court. Valdovinos also led the creation of the Oceanside Youth Partnership, a mentoring program for at-risk youth, and served as the department’s public information officer in both English and Spanish. Additionally, he holds degrees in psychology and criminal justice, is a 2022 graduate of the FBI National Academy, and serves as an adjunct professor in law enforcement leadership at the University of San Diego.
Valdovinos’s swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for November 13 at 3 p.m. in the City Council Chambers. The city invites residents to attend and welcome Oceanside’s next police chief.
