By Kaytlyn Leslie
After 22 years in law enforcement, Arroyo Grande Police Chief Michael Martinez will retire at the end of May, according to a city news release Tuesday.
In its release, the city said it “has received and accepted the retirement notice” from Martinez, who took over as chief of police in 2020 after the retirement of the late Beau Pryor.
“The greatest part about being the police chief has been watching the development and accomplishments of the members of the department,” Martinez said in the release. “I am inspired by the men and women of the Arroyo Grande Police Department, who exemplify the very best in law enforcement. It has been a privilege to lead them as chief of police for the past five years.”
Martinez came to the Arroyo Grande Police Department in 2005 after service for three years with the Grover Beach Police Department, the release said. During that time, he held positions of police officer, sergeant and commander before becoming police chief.
He also held a variety of specialized assignments, according to the release, including motorcycle traffic officer, field training officer, school resource officer, detective sergeant and a member of the San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT Team.
As chief, Martinez “led significant organizational change, strengthened community relations and embraced the integration of progressive technology and best practices — all while ‘ensuring quality of life,’” the release said.
Martinez is also a member of the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition, Transitions Mental Health Association and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Foundation boards.
His last day with the city is May 30.
“The city appreciates Chief Martinez’s service to the community over the past 22 years,” city manager Matthew Downing said in the release. “He has been an instrumental member of the city’s executive team and has provided invaluable leadership to the Arroyo Grande Police Department. Chief Martinez has been influential in helping ensure that the city’s law enforcement agency is a leader in the community and carries out the highest standards of performance.
He added: “We are grateful for Chief Martinez’s dedication to the city, its residents and visitors. We wish him well in his retirement.”
Who will replace retiring Arroyo Grande police chief?
Cmdr. David Culver has been selected to act as interim chief starting May 31, according to the release. He’s expected to serve until the city completes its recruitment for the new chief of police.
Culver has served in law enforcement for 17 years, joining the Police Department from Santa Maria in 2019, the city said.
Since beginning his law enforcement career, he has served as a field training officer, patrol sergeant and watch commander, SLO Regional SWAT assistant tactical commander, support division commander and patrol division commander, according to the release. He’s also served as an academy instructor for the Allan Hancock College Law Enforcement since 2019, according to the release.
During his three years as a commander, the city said he has been “responsible for patrol, detectives, property/evidence, training, administrative services and a wide variety of other tasks.”
“Commander Culver’s qualifications and proven commitment to public service and the vity of Arroyo Grande make him the ideal individual to serve as interim chief of police,” Downing said.
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Kaytlyn Leslie writes about business and development for The San Luis Obispo Tribune. Hailing from Nipomo, she also covers city governments and happenings in San Luis Obispo. She joined The Tribune in 2013 after graduating from Cal Poly with her journalism degree.
