On Monday, Chief Robert Castro officially began his duties as the chief of police for the City of Glendale. Today at 3 p.m., Castro will be sworn in as Glendale’s new chief of police in a formal ceremony at the Police Department Community Room located at 131 N. Isabel St.

Castro comes to Glendale after serving as chief of police for the city of Glendora. He began his law enforcement career working for the City of Glendora as a police cadet in 1985. He was hired as a police officer in 1986 and worked his way up through the ranks to chief.

As the police chief of Glendora, Castro transformed the police department into a highly effective and efficient organization, an evolution hastened by the Great Recession. Difficult financial conditions resulted in a 20% personnel reduction in Glendora PD; however, Castro was able to use the financial crisis as an opportunity to innovate. He implemented focus-based continuous improvement policing and district policing programs that included the use of innovative technologies. His management philosophy is predicated on exceptional customer service, values-based management, and continuous performance improvement.

Castro is very active in regional policing efforts in the San Gabriel Valley as a means of delivering quality, cost-efficient service. Through his leadership, Glendora maintains a strong regional profile in diverse areas such as helicopter/air support, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), jailing services, and public safety radio systems. Castro has managed the Office of Traffic Safety Traffic DUI and Traffic Safety Grant for all of Los Angeles County for the past five years. His focus-based policing program resulted in injury traffic collisions declining 5% each year. He has been very successful in obtaining grant funds to implement many of the programs and technologies used to meet the contemporary challenges of public safety. His community involvement includes being a member of Kiwanis, PTA, Chamber of Commerce, and numerous community committees in the city of Glendora.

“Glendale is truly an incredible community which is diverse, proud, and has wonderful involvement and support. I am honored to have the opportunity to bring my experiences and ideas to this dynamic community, organization, and management team,” said Castro. “I believe by working with and listening closely to employees, community members, and city leaders we can improve the quality of life for all who live, work, and visit Glendale. I am very excited to replicate many of the successful processes I have used during my career here in Glendale.”

Castro, 48, and his wife, Cynthia, an elementary school teacher, have two sons, Nicholas, 16, and Robbie, 18. He and his family enjoy fitness activities, such as running and mountain bike riding.