By Jorge Casuso

August 26, 2025 -- City officials on Monday formally announced the resignation of Police Chief Ramón Batista and the appointment of Deputy Chief Darrick Jacob as Acting Chief of Police.

The official announcement comes after Batista submitted a letter of resignation to City Manager Oliver Chi on Friday, followed by a public letter addressed "to the residents of Santa Monica" ("EXTRA -- Letter from Police Chief Ramon Batista to the Residents of Santa Monica," August 22, 2025).

Batista's abrupt resignation not only shocked his officers but raised questions about the reasons for the Police Chief's exit ("Clashing Views on Public Safety May Have Led to Police Chief's Departure", August 25, 2025).

“I am grateful to Chief Batista for his service to Santa Monica and commend him for his many contributions,” Chi said in a statement Monday.

“His dedication, kindness and vision have shaped our Police Department in positive ways, and on behalf of the entire organization, we honor and thank him for his service.”

Batista assumed the post in October 2021 and "oversaw the hiring of dozens of new police officers, adopted a departmental strategic plan, and positively positioned the city in regional efforts to combat retail theft," City officials said.

Batista, who wrote in his resignation letter that his last day of work would be October 4, will be replaced by Jacob, a 21-year veteran of the department who has served as deputy chief since 2020.

“As we manage this leadership transition in the Santa Monica Police Department, I am excited to share that Darrick Jacob has been named acting chief of police," Chi said.

"‘DJ’ has served the department with distinction for over 20 years and, most recently, his responsibilities as deputy chief of police have involved overseeing the day-to-day operations of the SMPD.

"With his knowledge of our department, combined with his leadership philosophy and approach, I am supremely confident that our staff, the Police Department, and the entire community will be well served by Acting Chief Jacob.”

Before joining the Police Department in 2004, Jacob served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, officials said.

A U.S. Navy veteran, he holds a bachelor’s degree in health science and a master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Northridge.

According to Monday's announcement, "further information about appointing a permanent chief of police will be shared as it becomes available."