Assistant Chief Manuel Martinez was hired by the San Jose Police Department in March of 1982 and completed 27 years of service before leaving to become the Chief of Police for Daly City. As an officer, he worked in the Bureau of Field Operations, Special Operations-M.E.R.G.E. (Mobile Emergency Response Group and Equipment) and Investigations-Burglary Prevention Unit. As a Sergeant, he worked in the Bureau of Field Operations, Special Operations-M.E.R.G.E., Narcotic Covert Investigations, Investigations-Robbery and the F.B.I. Violent Gang Task Force. As a Lieutenant, he worked in the Bureau of Field Operations, Field Training Program, Investigations-Missing Persons Unit and Investigations- Homicide Unit. Assistant Chief Martinez was promoted to the rank of Captain and worked in the Bureau of Field Operations, Airport Division and Bureau of Investigations.
Assistant Chief Martinez was selected on November 23, 2009 as the Chief of Police for Daly City and remained the Chief of Police for Eight years before accepting the Assistant Chief of Police position for the City of Salinas Police Department on December 11, 2017.
Assistant Chief Martinez was assigned to the Patrol Division and recently transferred to Investigations Division.
Assistant Chief Martinez served in the U.S. Army and is a life member of VFW POST 8750. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Juris Doctor of Law Degree, a Peace Officer Standard & Training Executive Management Certificate and a graduate of the F.B.I. National Academy Class 198. He was awarded the Medal of Valor by the San Jose Police Department.