Darrick Jacob appointed chief after 21 years of service
Police Chief Darrick Jacob is sworn in on Jan. 14.
On Jan. 14, Darrick Jacob was sworn in as Santa Monica’s new police chief after serving as interim chief since Roman Batista stepped down from the job in October. Jacob has been working with the Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) since 2004 and is stepping into the permanent role while the department is still navigating staffing challenges, evolving public safety priorities and ongoing community scrutiny.
Jacob’s appointment follows a period of transition for the city’s law enforcement agency. Batista had led the department since 2020 before announcing his departure last summer. City officials selected Jacob to serve as interim chief while conducting a formal recruitment process, ultimately choosing him to lead the department on a permanent basis. In a statement following his appointment Jacob has expressed that his main goal is to restore trust and increase police visibility to lower fears about crime.
“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.”
A veteran of more than two decades in law enforcement, Jacob has held a range of assignments within SMPD including patrol, investigations and administrative leadership roles. Over the course of his tenure, Jacob has had experience in field operations as well as strategic planning. He has overseen specialized units and collaboration with regional law enforcement partners across Los Angeles County.
The city of Santa Monica holds about 90 thousand residents and faces public safety demands shaped by tourism, a significant unhoused population and its proximity to major metropolitan areas. The department is responsible for both neighborhood patrols as well as the Santa Monica Pier and Promenade, and other high-traffic areas across the city.
Like many departments across the nation, SMPD has contended with staffing shortages in recent years. Recruiting and retaining sworn officers has been a priority for city leaders, particularly as retirements and competition from other agencies have reduced staffing levels. SMPD is looking to restore authorized staffing levels and expand diversity within ranks.
In addition to staffing, Jacob will oversee continued implementation of state-mandated policing reforms. California law in recent years has expanded use-of-force standards, especially under Assembly Bill 392, which redefines the circumstances in which an officer can use deadly force against an individual; the revised law requires there to be seriously life-threatening opposing force for an officer to use lethal power. SMPD has enhanced crisis intervention training in response to those changes.
Community trust remains a central issue in Santa Monica, particularly following 2020 riots downtown that resulted in major property damage. In the years since, the department has emphasized community engagement, neighborhood outreach and partnerships with local businesses. As chief, Jacob is expected to build on those efforts while balancing enforcement responsibilities with calls for alternatives to traditional policing in certain situations.
City leaders have also prioritized addressing homelessness through coordinated outreach between law enforcement, social services and nonprofit partners. Officers often serve as first responders to calls involving homelessness and mental health crises. The department has worked alongside outreach teams and county agencies to connect individuals with shelter and services while enforcing local ordinances. Jacob Bromell (’27) described what he sees as the cities’ primary problem that the department should be focusing on.
“I find that the number of homeless people, especially near community centers, parks and other recreational places to be worrying. I hope that the SMPD is able to provide more resources for both homeless people and those affected by the actions of homeless people,” Bromell said.
Technology and data-driven policing strategies are also likely to remain part of the department’s approach under Jacob’s leadership. SMPD has invested in real-time crime analysis and coordinated information-sharing systems with regional partners. The department operates under oversight from the Santa Monica City Council and adheres to public records laws requiring disclosure of certain disciplinary and use-of-force incidents.
Jacob’s swearing-in formalizes continuity in leadership following months in the interim role. City officials have indicated that maintaining stability within the department is a priority as broader conversations about public safety continue. As chief, Jacob will be responsible for managing the department’s budget, guiding policy decisions and representing SMPD in regional and statewide law enforcement forums.
His appointment comes as Santa Monica continues to balance economic recovery, public safety concerns and community expectations. With experience rooted in the department he now leads, Jacob begins his tenure tasked with steering SMPD through ongoing reforms while maintaining day-to-day operations in the city.