Cathedral City has a new police chief in Rick Sanchez, a 20-year veteran of the department.
The city announced Sanchez would officially replace retired chief George Crum the morning of Thursday, Aug. 20. Sanchez had been serving as the acting chief since Crum retired on Dec. 18, 2025.
City Manager Andrew Firestone said the city conducted a nationwide search for its next chief that included an interview panel consisting of community members, local leaders and law enforcement professionals.
"What became clear through that process is that the leader our community was looking for had been part of our team all along," Firestone said in a news release. "Rick stood out at every step, and he has earned the trust of this department, this city, and our residents,
and he makes history as the first Latino to lead the Cathedral City Police Department."
Sanchez joined CCPD in 2006 and has risen through the ranks from police officer. He served for 13 years with Desert Regional SWAT and supervised the patrol division as well as the Detective Bureau and Professional Standards Bureau. Most recently, he served as deputy chief.
"For the past twenty years, this community has given me the opportunity to grow as an officer, a leader, and as aperson," Sanchez said in the release. "Every assignment, every challenge, and every relationship has prepared me for this responsibility, and I am grateful for the confidence placed in me to lead this outstanding organization."
Sanchez replaces a chief who led the police department for a significant portion of his career. Crum first became chief in 2014 before retiring in 2017. But he came back again in 2020 to serve as chief for another five years.
Cathedral City said in its news release city officials looked for a candidate with a deep commitment to community-oriented policing and public trust.
“As Chief, I look forward to working alongside our exceptional employees, our City leadership, our public safety partners, and the members of our community as we continue advancing a Police Department rooted in professionalism, innovation, transparency, accountability, and service," Sanchez said. "Together, we will build on our successes, strengthen the trust we’ve earned, and ensure Cathedral City remains one of the safest and most welcoming communities in the Coachella Valley.”
Sam Morgen covers local government for The Desert Sun. Reach him at smorgen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Cathedral City names new police chief after nationwide search
