EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE

CHRISTOPHER McGRATH

Assistant Chief of Police Chris McGrath joined the San Diego Police

Department in June 1988.

Chris was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police in December 2017.  On May 4, 2021, he was appointed to Executive Assistant Chief of Police to succeed Albert Guaderrama who retired from the position.

As the Executive Assistant Chief of Police, Chris is responsible for the budget and day to day operations of the Police Department.

Prior to his appointment as an Assistant Chief of Police, Chris was assigned as the Captain and Commanding Officer of the Professional Standards Unit / Internal Affairs, and the Mid-City Patrol Division.  As a lieutenant, his responsibilities included SWAT Executive Officer, Southeastern Patrol,  Northern Patrol, Vice Operations, Robbery Unit, Metro Arson Task Force, and District Attorney Liaison.  His sergeant assignments included Patrol, SWAT, Vice Operations, and the Federal Human Trafficking Task Force.

Chris has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice in 2002 from San Diego State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from National University in 2004.  He also attended the California POST Executive Development Program and is a graduate of class number 263 of the FBI National Academy in Quantico Virginia.

Chris is originally a Midwestern native having lived in Iowa and Illinois and is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.  He is married to his wife Alicia and has two adult sons.