The City of West Covina is pleased to announce the appointment of Antonio “Tony” Cortina as the new Chief of Police for the West Covina Police Department. Chief Cortina has 28 years of law enforcement experience and a distinguished record of leadership, service, and community engagement.
Chief Cortina is a seasoned law enforcement professional who has served in several leadership positions in the West Covina Police Department starting as an officer in patrol, to training officer, detecting and moving through the ranks of detective, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain. His areas of oversight include the detective bureau, SWAT, major narcotics, canine unit, jail operations, and the patrol division. His dedication to building trust with the community, addressing public safety concerns, and enhancing departmental operations aligns with the West Covina Police Department’s mission.
“I am honored to serve as the Police Chief for the City of West Covina and I am committed to working closely with our community, elected officials, and all members of the department to enhance public safety and trust,” said Chief Antonio “Tony” Cortina. “I believe in an approach to policing that values collaboration, accountability, and respect for every individual.”
Mayor Tony Wu expressed confidence in the new Chief’s leadership:
“Chief Tony Cortina is well-regarded for his leadership and dedication to serving the community. A leader with strong community service skills can truly make a difference in strengthening the bond between the police department and the community. Congratulations to Chief Cortina on this new role!”
Mayor Pro Tem Letty Lopez-Viado congratulates Chief Cortina:
“Congratulations to our new Police Chief, Tony Cortina on his well-deserved promotion. A few years ago, as Mayor Pro Tem, I had the privilege of working with him on a Women’s Personal Safety and Empowerment Seminar with reality-based training showing and practicing with the ladies in West Covina on how to handle different situations and protect themselves among working with him on other projects that focuses on safety, trust, and community building. I continue to look forward on the positive impact he will bring to the department and to our community.”
Councilman Ollie Cantos provides his thoughts on the new Chief of Police:
“Chief Tony Cortina is well-positioned to build on the work of Chief Richard Bell before him. He is bringing to the job his years of experience from having risen through the ranks, and his spirit of innovation and forward-looking thinking will empower our Police Department to be at the cutting edge of effectiveness by leveraging the latest emerging best practices with the time-tested and proven approaches that keep our City safe. I am excited about what our new Chief will do to elevate our law enforcement team to an entirely new level!”
Councilwoman Rosario Diaz voices her support of Chief Cortina:
“I was very pleased to cast my vote confirming the appointment of Tony Cortina as our new West Covina Police Chief. Tony is universally respected, and we are very fortunate to have him leading our officers into this new era. The standing ovation that he received tonight says it all.
I am confident he will continue serving the people of West Covina with honor and dignity, and I wish him well. Congratulations, Chief, you deserve it!”
Councilmember Brian Gutierrez adds his remarks regarding Chief Cortina’s appointment:
“I am truly honored to express my strong support for the appointment of Tony Cortina as the new Police Chief of West Covina. Chief Cortina brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of effective leadership in law enforcement. His unwavering dedication to public service, coupled with his visionary outlook, positions him as the ideal candidate to guide our police department into a new era of community engagement and safety.
One of the aspects I admire most about Chief Cortina is his innovative approach to policing. He has consistently demonstrated an ability to think outside the box, developing creative strategies that not only tackle crime but also foster strong relationships between law enforcement and the community. His commitment to reducing crime rates through proactive measures and community involvement is commendable, and I am confident that his initiatives will lead to tangible, positive changes in our neighborhoods. Together, I believe we can build a safer, more vibrant West Covina for everyone.”
The West Covina City Council confirmed Chief Cortina’s appointment with a 5-0 vote at the City Council Meeting of January 7, 2025.
For more information about the City of West Covina please visit the City’s website at www.westcovina.org.