He has twenty-five years of proven leadership in the field of Law Enforcement, demonstrating the ability to successfully manage; critical incidents, executive level projects, and other high-level responsibilities. He believes in working with the community, elected officials, City staff and members of the department at all levels, with the overall goal of improving the quality of life for all residents and guests. He has a strong belief in the importance of personal character development with attention to justice, determination, loyalty, compassion, tolerance and respect for others.
His association with the Watsonville Police Department began when he was a senior in high school and he credits the influence of a teacher and police officer for helping him choose law enforcement as a vocation. He started as a Police Explorer Cadet in 1982 and then Reserve Police Officer in 1984. During this time, he took college classes and volunteered as a Community Service Officer for the City of Santa Cruz. In 1985, he was hired as a fulltime Peace Officer for the City of Santa Cruz and served there for three years returning to Watsonville in 1987.
Manny has experience in a variety of assignments, serving through the ranks as Patrol Officer, Narcotics Agent, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Police Chief and currently Chief of Police. He has held assignments in Field Training, Narcotics, Gangs, Investigations, Administration, Community Services, and Incident Command during major events and disasters. He has also taught Public Safety courses for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.
Manny attended Cabrillo and Gavilan Community Colleges and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Organizational Management from Bethany University. He also completed some of his undergraduate work at the University of Virginia. A 1999 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia, Manny later graduated from the DEA Commanders' Academy in 2001.
Manny, his wife Megan and their three sons reside locally and together serve their community. On his off-time Manny enjoys attending church, outdoor activities, working out at the gym and restoring the family's 1962 Buick convertible. He enjoys the hobby of videography and has written, edited and produced several training, promotional, special occasion and documentary videos. Some of his work has been aired on local television and the syndicated television shows COPS and Real TV.
He and his family are involved with and support the following community non-profit organizations: Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, Pajaro Rescue Mission, Monterey Bay Teen Challenge, Freedom Women's Recovery Center, Kidpower, Defensa de Mujeres, Latin American Childcare, Watsonville NFL youth football, Monte Vista High School Boosters and Pajaro Valley Little League Baseball.
msolano@ci.watsonville.ca.us
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Chief Manny Solano and his family have lived in the Pajaro Valley for three generations with a tradition of public service. Of Slavic and Hispanic heritage he symbolizes just two of the rich cultures well represented in Watsonville.
He has twenty-five years of proven leadership in the field of Law Enforcement, demonstrating the ability to successfully manage; critical incidents, executive level projects, and other high-level responsibilities. He believes in working with the community, elected officials, City staff and members of the department at all levels, with the overall goal of improving the quality of life for all residents and guests. He has a strong belief in the importance of personal character development with attention to justice, determination, loyalty, compassion, tolerance and respect for others.
His association with the Watsonville Police Department began when he was a senior in high school and he credits the influence of a teacher and police officer for helping him choose law enforcement as a vocation. He started as a Police Explorer Cadet in 1982 and then Reserve Police Officer in 1984. During this time, he took college classes and volunteered as a Community Service Officer for the City of Santa Cruz. In 1985, he was hired as a fulltime Peace Officer for the City of Santa Cruz and served there for three years returning to Watsonville in 1987.
Manny has experience in a variety of assignments, serving through the ranks as Patrol Officer, Narcotics Agent, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Police Chief and currently Chief of Police. He has held assignments in Field Training, Narcotics, Gangs, Investigations, Administration, Community Services, and Incident Command during major events and disasters. He has also taught Public Safety courses for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.
Manny attended Cabrillo and Gavilan Community Colleges and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Organizational Management from Bethany University. He also completed some of his undergraduate work at the University of Virginia. A 1999 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia, Manny later graduated from the DEA Commanders' Academy in 2001.
Manny, his wife Megan and their three sons reside locally and together serve their community. On his off-time Manny enjoys attending church, outdoor activities, working out at the gym and restoring the family's 1962 Buick convertible. He enjoys the hobby of videography and has written, edited and produced several training, promotional, special occasion and documentary videos. Some of his work has been aired on local television and the syndicated television shows COPS and Real TV.
He and his family are involved with and support the following community non-profit organizations: Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, Pajaro Rescue Mission, Monterey Bay Teen Challenge, Freedom Women's Recovery Center, Kidpower, Defensa de Mujeres, Latin American Childcare, Watsonville NFL youth football, Monte Vista High School Boosters and Pajaro Valley Little League Baseball.
msolano@ci.watsonville.ca.us
He has twenty-five years of proven leadership in the field of Law Enforcement, demonstrating the ability to successfully manage; critical incidents, executive level projects, and other high-level responsibilities. He believes in working with the community, elected officials, City staff and members of the department at all levels, with the overall goal of improving the quality of life for all residents and guests. He has a strong belief in the importance of personal character development with attention to justice, determination, loyalty, compassion, tolerance and respect for others.
His association with the Watsonville Police Department began when he was a senior in high school and he credits the influence of a teacher and police officer for helping him choose law enforcement as a vocation. He started as a Police Explorer Cadet in 1982 and then Reserve Police Officer in 1984. During this time, he took college classes and volunteered as a Community Service Officer for the City of Santa Cruz. In 1985, he was hired as a fulltime Peace Officer for the City of Santa Cruz and served there for three years returning to Watsonville in 1987.
Manny has experience in a variety of assignments, serving through the ranks as Patrol Officer, Narcotics Agent, Corporal, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Deputy Police Chief and currently Chief of Police. He has held assignments in Field Training, Narcotics, Gangs, Investigations, Administration, Community Services, and Incident Command during major events and disasters. He has also taught Public Safety courses for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education.
Manny attended Cabrillo and Gavilan Community Colleges and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Organizational Management from Bethany University. He also completed some of his undergraduate work at the University of Virginia. A 1999 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia, Manny later graduated from the DEA Commanders' Academy in 2001.
Manny, his wife Megan and their three sons reside locally and together serve their community. On his off-time Manny enjoys attending church, outdoor activities, working out at the gym and restoring the family's 1962 Buick convertible. He enjoys the hobby of videography and has written, edited and produced several training, promotional, special occasion and documentary videos. Some of his work has been aired on local television and the syndicated television shows COPS and Real TV.
He and his family are involved with and support the following community non-profit organizations: Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, Pajaro Rescue Mission, Monterey Bay Teen Challenge, Freedom Women's Recovery Center, Kidpower, Defensa de Mujeres, Latin American Childcare, Watsonville NFL youth football, Monte Vista High School Boosters and Pajaro Valley Little League Baseball.
msolano@ci.watsonville.ca.us