'Next Era Of Public Safety,' New Santa Monica Police Chief Says

SANTA MONICA, CA — Ramon Batista, Jr., a 35-year law enforcement leader, will join the Santa Monica Police Department as chief of police, city officials said Thursday.

Batista served as police chief in Mesa, Arizona. Mesa is the third-largest city in Arizona.

Before working in Mesa, he spent 30 years with the Tucson Police Department, including two years in the role of assistant chief of police.

“Chief Batista is a tenured law enforcement professional who built strong community relationships in both of the communities he has served with outstanding performance,” City Manager David White said in a statement.

“We are certain he will do the same here in Santa Monica where strong relationships underpin community safety, trust, and collaboration," White said.

As chief of the Mesa Police Department, Batista oversaw a budget of $188 million and 760 sworn and over 450 professional staff, according to city officials. During his tenure, Mesa’s Part 1 Crimes were at an all-time low of 23 events per 1,000 residents. A proponent of 21st Century Policing initiatives and community resiliency, Chief Batista led the implementation of a mental health crisis 911 diversion program whereby suicide calls to police were directed to crisis counselors.

Police departments across the U.S. are looking at different ways to improve mental health training for employees.

"The ability to embed mental health technicians in the 911 call center is a milestone that police departments across the country are seeking to emulate," city officials said.

Batista launched a strategic plan for the department, which included enhancing diversity across ranks, focusing on internal and external communication, and de-escalation techniques that led to safer engagement between the community and the officers, city officials said.

“It is a tremendous honor to be selected as the next chief of police for the City of Santa Monica and to lead the Santa Monica Police Department into the next era of public safety,” Chief Ramon Batista said in a statement.

“The Santa Monica Police Department has a history of honorable public service, collaboration, outreach, and community safety," Batista said. "I look forward to being a part of the team and serving our residents alongside them.”

Batista began his career in Tucson in 1986 and over his 31-year career there, he served in diverse roles from patrol supervisor, traffic division/solo motors, training academy commander, public information office director, patrol division commander, SWAT division commander, and chief of staff. He rose to the rank of captain in 2011 before becoming assistant chief, first for the patrol bureau (2014 – 2016) followed by the investigative bureau (2016 – 2017) where he had oversight of all detectives and major criminal investigations, the crime lab, and the evidence section.

Some of his key accomplishments include identifying smart enforcement strategies and a multi-disciplinary approach, focused on alternatives to imprisonment for lower-level violations to reduce recidivism and the high cost of incarceration.

He starts Monday and earns an annual salary of $298,788.

Chief Batista is married and has two children and one grandchild. He and his wife enjoy running, hiking, and all activities related to their family.

Chief Ramon Batista will be sworn into service on Monday at 10 a.m. People can watch live on Santa Monica CityTV Channel 16 or the City’s YouTube channel: Police Chief Swearing in Ceremony.

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