David G. Dominguez, a deputy police chief in Riverside, was named to succeed retired Palm Spring police Chief Gary Jeandron Tuesday.

Jeandron is retiring at the end of the year.

Dominguez, 52, a deputy chief in Riverside for the past four years, has total of 28 years in law enforcement. An employment contract will be submitted to the City Council on Dec. 19 and, if approved, Dominguez will start work Feb. 4, city officials said.

Dominguez was selected from a pool of 69 candidates from throughout the country and will be the city's 12th police chief since 1940.

"I am excited about the tremendous opportunity to be Chief of Police of the Palm Springs Police Department and look forward to working with the community and the women and men of an outstanding law-enforcement organization," Dominguez said.

Dominguez, who has nearly three decades of law enforcement experience in the Inland Empire, has held various executive and command-level positions, officials said.

"He brings an outstanding proven performance record, effective community policing and neighborhood outreach and problem-solving strategies, as well as an open and approachable goal-oriented management style," City Manager David Ready said. "He offers professionalism, credibility, possesses a deep understanding of community issues, has exhibited sharp leadership skills and has demonstrated a solid working relationship with his employees."

As a Riverside deputy chief since 2003, Dominguez's responsibilities included operational and administrative oversight of the department, which has an $89 million annual budget and more than 600 sworn and civilian positions.

Dominguez was instrumental in developing and expanding the department's community policing programs and collaborated with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office and Sheriff's Department to develop and implement the Regional Gang Task Force and Gang Injunction program in Riverside. He also helped get $1.5 million in state and federal grants for personnel, equipment and technology relative to homeland security, traffic safety and law enforcement operations, officials said.

Dominguez has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a master's in public administration from Cal State Fullerton. He has served as the president of the California Peace Officers' Association and is currently president of the Riverside County Law Enforcement Administrators Association.

He and his wife Rosella have three children: Christina, Jessica and Dominic. When he isn't working, Dominguez coaches youth sports, and enjoys camping and spending time with his family.

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