THE THIN BLUE LINE
ASSISTANT CHIEF OF POLICE MARK JONES
Assistant Chief of Police Mark Jones is a 31 year veteran of the San Diego Police Department.
Chief Jones was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police of Special Operations in November of 2013. He is currently in charge of the Department’s SWAT Team, Traffic Division, Canine Unit, Airborne Law Enforcement Unit, Special Events and the Operational Support Unit.
Chief Jones held the rank of Captain from August 2008 until November of 2013 where he was the Commanding Officer at Northeastern Division for one year and Central Division for over four years. During his tenure , Chief Jones has worked in nearly every type of assignment within the Department including Patrol, Training, Vice, Narcotics, SWAT, Identity Theft, Internal Affairs, Neighborhood Policing and Juvenile Services just to name a few.
Chief Jones earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from California Lutheran University where he also played collegiate football. He graduated from the FBI National Academy in June of 2009.
In 2012, Chief Jones was awarded the Department’s Exceptional Performance Citation for his leadership and management of the protests and demonstrations in the Downtown area over an extended period of time.
Chief Jones has a passion for community service and has volunteered to lead and serve on many community based organizations throughout his career, both on and off duty. He currently serves as a council member on the Southern California Special Olympics Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee representing San Diego County. In addition, Chief Jones coached youth athletics within his community for many years and in 1999 coached his son’s Pop Warner football team to a National Championship.
He is a native San Diegan and was raised in El Cajon. He currently resides in 4S Ranch with his wife Diane. They have a son and daughter who they enjoy spending time with, along with their three grandsons.
