Salinas Police Chief Roberto Filice resigns, accepts a job at East Bay Regional Park District.

Salinas Police Chief Roberto Filice submitted his resignation on Friday, Jan. 5 after leading the department for less than three years. On Jan. 6, East Bay Regional Park District announced Filice’s appointment as its new assistant general manager of public safety and police chief. 

"Leaving this position comes with a heavy heart, but I believe it is the right time for me to explore new opportunities and challenges," Filice wrote in a resignation letter to Interim City Manager Jim Pia. "I am proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together during my time as chief, and I am confident that the department will continue to thrive under your capable leadership."

Mayor Kimbley Craig says she was disappointed to learn about Filice’s departure .“He’s been incredible for our community and for the department,” Craig says. She describes Filice as a hands-on chief who continued to serve in a variety of ways: “I’ve never seen a chief on a motorcicle giving speeding tickets.”

Felice was appointed as Salinas Police chief in October of 2021, replacing Adele Fresé. He served as interim chief while the chief search was underway; prior to that he was assistant police chief and has worked at SPD since 2017. 

For the past several years, SPD has faced challenges recruiting and retaining police officers and the the department has decreased from 187 police officers in 2010 to 131 currently. Police officers have been working mandatory overtime shifts and last year, SPD implemented a prioritization call system meaning not all calls will trigger police response—a decision made based on understaffing.  The department has also faced budget reduction the past three years. 

Filice also led the department through tragedy in 2022 when Police Officer JD Alvarado was shot and killed while on duty during a traffic stop. His murderer was convicted in 2023.

Before joining SPD, Filice worked for five years at Marina PD and for five years before that at Seaside PD. 

Announcing his new role, Filice said in an announcement from the East Bay Regional Park District, “I am excited to be part of an organization that cares about engaging with the public and providing positive experiences in nature and recreational opportunities with safety in mind. With a community-focused and team-oriented approach, I am ready to build partnerships, mentor and support career development opportunities, collaborate to enhance our work, and commit to serving the public.”

Filice will oversee the public safety of the largest regional park in the country, located in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. The district draws about 30 million visitors every year. Filice's last day at SPD will be Jan. 21; he starts his new job on Jan. 22.