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KEEPING
SALINAS SAFE
Chief
Carlos Acosta
2025 ANNUAL
REPORT
OVERVIEW
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CALLS FOR SERVICE AND ARRESTS
ALL CALLS FOR SERVICE
133,086
TOTAL ARRESTS
MADE
2,735
2024 – 2025 COMPARISON
132,147 133,086
CALLS FOR SERVICE
2,115
2,735
ARRESTS
29.31%
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SWORN OFFICERS
55 12
43 157
18 143
5 138
AUTHORIZED (includes 4 frozen)
Funded
Vacancies (includes 4 frozen)
Sworn Officers Filled
Police Recruits
Sworn Officers
Officers to Hire
AUTHORIZED
Funded
Vacant
Professional Positions Filled
Positions to Hire
PROFESSIONAL/CIVILIAN STAFF
STAFFING
Dedicated Website & Team
Oral Board Workshop
$20 - 40K Hiring Incentive
161 55
14 12
2025 ORAL BOARD WORKSHOP FOR CANDIDATES
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REDUCED OFFICER
VA
CANCIES
• 22 vacancies a t the end of 2024
down to 14 at the end of 2025, a
36.36% decrease in ONE year
FILLED POSITIONS
128 sworn staff on 1-1-2025
143 on 1-31-2025
150 sworn on 4-30-2026
11.72% increase in sworn
officers
SWORN OFFICERS
SIGNIFICANT STAFFING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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CRIME STATISTICS AND TRENDS
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HOMICIDE SOLVE RATE
6 SOLVED (86%)
7 HOMICIDES
2015 – 2025 HOMICIDE TREND 2025 HOMICIDES
BENCHMARKS
National Average (FBI): 61.4%
California Average (DOJ): 63%
SPD exceeds both benchmarks.
When accounting for cases
solved after year-end, the
Department achieved final
solve rates of 91% in 2023,
83% in 2024, and 86% in 2025.
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INVESTIGATIONS | COMMITTED TO JUSTICE
326
TOTAL
INVESTIGATIONS CASES
ASSIGNED
TOTAL
CLEARED
126 ON ARREST OR WARRANT
TOTAL
HOMICIDES
ASSIGNED
7 TOTAL
HOMICIDES
CLEARED
6 266
1 1
COLD CASE SOLVED
82%
PERCENTAGE OF INVESTIGATION
CASES CLEARED OUT OF TOTAL
ASSIGNED – 266 CLEARED OF 326
1 86%
HOMICIDE CASES SOLVED
6 OF 7
TOTAL
COLD CASE
CLEARED
NEW
MISSING PERSON
CLEARED
1982 murder of nightclub owner Cruz Gomez.
Investigators used newly developed DNA
technology to link evidence to longtime suspect
Saul Ramirez, who was already incarcerated.
(81.6%)
(85.71%)
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VIOLENCE SUPPRESSION TASK FORCE
The goal of the Violence Suppression Task Force (VSTF) is to keep the community of Salinas safe by working to disrupt violent crimes associated with gang activity, high-risk crimes, and narcotics sales and use of illegal drugs. 28 80
12 70
MISDEMEANOR
ARRESTS
FIREARMS
COLLECTED
CITATIONS
FELONY
ARRESTS
268
TOTAL FIREARMS
CHECKED INTO
EVIDENCE IN 2025
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OPERATION DEAD END UPDATE
OPERATION DEAD END UPDATE
Federal RICO case — Salinas Acosta Plaza
Norteños
Superseding indictment added 7 more
defendants
11 murders, 14 attempted murders alleged
Drug trafficking, firearms, armed robberies
Firebombing and shootings (2014–2024)
The Salinas Police Department continued its long-term effort to dismantle violent organized crime through Operation Dead End, a multi-agency Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) investigation in which SPD served as a core investigative partner.
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OPERATION LOGGED OUT
A VSTF investigation exposed and dismantled the Loggins Drug Trafficking Organization, which moved methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and other narcotics into Salinas and exploited unhoused residents; coordinated warrants in October 2025 resulted in the largest fentanyl drug bust in Salinas Police history. The seizure included drugs with an estimated street value in the millions; both primary suspects were arrested, along with multiple additional arrests connected to the investigation.
ASSETS SEIZED
• Over $435,000 in cash and bank accounts
• Jewelry and designer bags
• 2022 Jeep Wagoneer
• 2020 Dodge Charger
• Two firearms
NARCOTICS SEIZED
• 26 lbs., 13.28 oz. methamphetamine
• 6 lbs., 2.9 oz. fentanyl “M30” pills
• 17 lbs., 6 oz powder fentanyl
• 1 oz. heroin
• 11.2 g cocaine
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REGIONAL EVIDENCE PROCESSING CENTER
ATF State-of-the-Art Firearms Lab
The only NIBIN Firearms Lab between
Vent
ura and San Jose: We support agencies
across the Central Coast.
Fast, Reliable Results: Rap id ballistic imaging
that links shootings and reveals
multi-jurisdictional crime patterns.
Specialized Staff: Al
l of our technicians are
highly trained in NIBIN protocols and advanced
ballistic-analysis procedures.
Stronger Investigations: ATF-s
upported
infrastructure allows quick evidence sharing
that enhances violent-crime case investigations.
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ORGANIZATIONAL WELLNESS
PHYSICAL WELLNESS
PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT
POLICY-LEVEL ACTIONS
FAMILY WELLNESS
Holistic, Multi-layered Approach
HOLISTIC APPROACH
Emotional Well-Being – Peer Support Team,
Chaplains, and ongoing wellness education.
Physical Health – Active, healthy lifestyles,
sleep education, annual health screenings,
and professional coaching and wellness
platforms and services.
Work-Life Balance – Officers don’t serve
alone: family events, spouse/partner support
groups, and stress-management resources.
Leadership’s Support Systems – Overtime
and shift-rotation review, staffing
improvements, professional development
and promotions, and the addition of our
Facility Support Dog.
Meet Sage, our new
Facility Dog!
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Referrals to
Outside Agencies
Victims Served
Services Provided
*Numbers may include multiple contacts
or referrals per individual.
441
2,869
577
VICTIM SERVICES AND YOUTH DIVERSION
VICTIM SERVICES
Completed
Diversions15
Youth Still
in Diversion
4 First Year
Summary of Statistics
YOUTH DIVERSION
Note: There were 7 still in Diversion
as of Dec. 31, 2025
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25,308
SALINAS POLICE OUTREACH TEAM
School and Community Presentations
Classroom Visits
Presentations at Community
Organizations
Participation at Community Events
Restoration, Intervention, Service, and
Education (RISE - Youth Diversion)
Spontaneous Interactions with Youth
and Others
The Salinas Police Outreach Team (SPOT) builds trust in the community by connecting our youth and community with officers, resources, and real-time problem-solving support.
3,033
22 Events in 2023
19,165
102 Events in 2024
115 Events in 2025
Youth Cadet Program
Yout
h Diversion Program, RISE (Restoration,
Intervention, Strength, and Education)
We also oversee…
Examples of What We Do
735% INCREASE!
SINCE 2023
Annual Reach by Year
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SPD CADET PROGRAM
Cadets also participated in
the PURE Insurance
Championship, MotoAmerica
Indy Car, Rolex Reunion,
Gridlife, and more!
SALINAS
RODEO
NATIONAL
NIGHT OUT
SALINAS
AIRSHOW
SEA OTTER
CLASSIC
EL GRITO
FESTIVAL
VETERANS DAY
PARADE
PEBBLE BEACH
FOOD & WINE
EVENT
PAL CAR SHOW
PARADE OF
LIGHTS
EVENTS
Total Volunteer
Hours3,575
1,481
Community
Event Hours
35 # of Youth Cadets
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COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Beyond our recorded
programs, many officers
and staff volunteer their
own time in the community,
offering untracked hours of
service that deserve
recognition and truly
strengthen our city.
A Few Events We Support:
Autism Awareness
Cop
s and Conversations
First Day of School Red Carpet
National Night Out
Holiday Magic
Neighborhood Watch
Halloween Open House
Police Activities League (PAL)
Rancho High School Career Day
El Grito Festival and MORE!
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Assistant Chief Luis Bravo
Commander An thony Gray
Commander Ger ardo Magaña
Anthony Garcia — Ser geant
Robert Zuniga — Serg eant
Alex Zamora — Sergeant
Melissa Roman — F orensic Specialist
Terra Pullum — I nvestigative Specialist
INTERNAL PROMOTIONS
We experienced multiple promotions
and lateral moves, with three
members stepping into top
leadership roles.
(Assumed role in
January 2026)
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | HIGHLIGHTS
Sgt. Justin Heckman and Sgt. Seth Morten
co
mpleted the Sherman Block Supervisory
Leadership Institute.
Staff attended the statewide Wo men Leaders in
Law Enforcement (WLLE) Conference, building
skills in leadership, communication, wellness, and
supervision.
Sgt. Yolanda Rocha co
mpleted the six-month On
Base Leadership Program, advancing her
leadership development.
Several Outstanding Police Duty Awards giv en.
Officer of the Year, Investigator of the Year,
Pr
ofessional Staff of the Year.
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Eulalio “Lalo” Villegas Northern District
Commander of the Year.
SPOTLIGHT ON AWARD RECIPIENTS
Women Leaders in Law Enforcement
(WLLE) Training Symposium
Public Servant of the
Year, Salinas Valley
Chamber of Commerce
Officer of the Year
Christopher Webb
Investigator of the Year
and Police Duty Award
Ciro Barboza
Professional of the Year
Alonso Reyes
Police Duty Award
Joseph Marfia
Police Duty Award
Jared Reyes
VSTF earned HIDTA’s Top
Gun Award for the most
firearms seized
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Questions / Comments
Chief Carlos
Acosta
Office:
(831) 758-7321
Address:
312 E Alisal St.
Salinas, CA 93901
Website:
https://police.salinas.gov
2025 Annual Report
https://police.salinas.gov/annual-reports