Oceanside Police Chief to Retire, Assistant Chief Taurino Valdovinos Selected

After 24 years of public safety service in Oceanside, Oceanside Police Chief Kedrick Sadler will retire on Nov. 10.

City Manager Jonathan Borrego said, “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.”

“It’s my privilege to announce Assistant Police Chief Taurino as our next Chief of Police,” Borrego said. “With decades of dedicated service to our community, Chief Valdovinos brings proven leadership and a deep understanding of our city’s public safety needs. His vision centers on strengthening and leveraging our Police Department’s core values of professionalism, transparency, community engagement, and innovative policing strategies. Recognizing the importance of maintaining a culture of trust and transparency, the new Chief plans to prioritize direct community engagement, and is planning a series of community listening sessions, providing residents an opportunity to share their vision, experiences, and perspectives on policing in Oceanside.”

The Police Chief appointment will be effective Nov. 11 following Sadler’s retirement. 

Chief Sadler said, “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.”

Valdovinos joined the Oceanside Police Department in 2003 and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Saint Mary’s College of California, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati.

He is a 2022 graduate of the FBI National Academy and the San Diego County Regional Leadership Institute.  Valdovinos has worked in Patrol, Neighborhood Policing Team, Uniform Gang Suppression, and worked in an undercover capacity as a detective in the Special Enforcement Section, where he was a court-certified gang expert.

Valdovinos was also a Force Options Training Simulator instructor and a SWAT team member before his promotion to Sergeant in January 2013. As a Sergeant, he served as a Patrol Team Supervisor and later supervised the Neighborhood Policing Team.

In June 2015, he was promoted to Lieutenant and served as a Lieutenant in each of the department’s three divisions. During this time, he served as the department’s Public Information Officer in English and Spanish and created the Oceanside Youth Partnership (OYP) program, a mentoring program for at-risk youth. In January, he was promoted to Captain, overseeing the Support Operations Division, and promoted to Assistant Chief in December.

In addition to his responsibilities with the Police Department, Chief Valdovinos is also an adjunct professor for the University of San Diego’s Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership master’s degree program.  He also serves on the Board of Directors for Vista Community Clinic. 

A swearing-in ceremony for Chief Valdovinos will be conducted on Nov. 13, at 3 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.