Folsom Police Chief Cynthia Renaud has been hired to lead the Santa Monica Police Department. City Manager Rick Cole announced her appointment Tuesday.
“The job of Police Chief is all about character and leadership,” Cole said in a press release. “Chief Renaud is a nationally respected law enforcement leader who spent the first twenty years of her outstanding career in Southern California. She will hit the ground running to address public safety challenges in Santa Monica. The selection process was a rigorous one that resulted in someone who understands and practices 21st Century policing – using technology, data and community partnerships to fight crime and the fear of crime – and build trust that Santa Monica’s Police Department will be fair, equitable, constitutional, humane and effective. In Chief Renaud we are getting a leader who will lead and empower the sworn and civilian staff of SMPD to enhance their reputation as the ‘benchmark of excellence’ for law enforcement in our region.”
Renaud is a veteran officer who served in the Long Beach Police Department for 20 years before taking over the chief’s job in Folsom in 2011. She has a big task ahead of her in Santa Monica, which is grappling with homelessness and a 12.5% increase in crime.
Renaud will oversee a department of 460 people and an operating budget of $86.6 million. She is expected to earn a base salary of $265,440 a year.
“I am so fortunate to be selected as Santa Monica’s next police chief and join in your progressive efforts to embrace community while encouraging a healthy, holistic lifestyle that considers the wellbeing of all,” said the incoming chief. “I look forward to meeting with, connecting with and hearing from all Santa Monicans about what impacts their daily lives.”