The City of Arroyo Grande has received and accepted the retirement notice of Police Chief Michael Martinez. Effective May 30, 2025, Chief Martinez will retire after 22 years of dedicated law enforcement service to the community. Chief Martinez started his law enforcement career in the Arroyo Grande Police Department (AGPD) in 2005, after serving with the Grover Beach Police Department for three years. During his career with AGPD, he held the positions of Police Officer, Sergeant and Commander until accepting the position of Chief of Police in 2020. He also held a variety of specialized assignments, including Motorcycle Traffic Officer, Field Training Officer, School Resource Officer, Detective Sergeant and member of the San Luis Obispo Regional SWAT Team. During his tenure as Chief, he led significant organizational change, strengthened community relations and embraced the integration of progressive technology and best practices – all while “Ensuring Quality of Life.” Chief Martinez is a board member of the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition, Transitions Mental Health Association and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Foundation.
Chief Martinez stated, “The greatest part about being the Police Chief has been watching the development and accomplishments of the members of the Department. I am inspired by the men and women of the Arroyo Grande Police Department, who exemplify the very best in law enforcement. It has been a privilege to lead them as Chief of Police for the past five years.”
“The City appreciates Chief Martinez’s service to the community over the past 22 years. He has been an instrumental member of the City’s executive team and has provided invaluable leadership to the Arroyo Grande Police Department. Chief Martinez has been influential in helping ensure that the City’s law enforcement agency is a leader in the community and carries out the highest standards of performance. We are grateful for Chief Martinez’s dedication to the City, its residents and visitors. We wish him well in his retirement,” stated City Manager Matthew Downing. Commander David Culver has been appointed Interim Chief of Police effective May 31, 2025. Commander Culver has served in law enforcement for 17 years, joining the Arroyo Grande Police Department from the Santa Maria Police Department in 2019 as a full-time Police Officer. Since beginning his law enforcement career, he has risen in the ranks and has served as a Field Training Officer, Patrol Sergeant / Watch Commander, SLO Regional SWAT Assistant Tactical Commander, Support Division Commander and Patrol Division Commander. As a Commander for almost three years, he has been responsible for patrol, detectives, property/evidence, training, administrative services and a wide variety of other tasks. Commander Culver has also served as a member of the Santa Maria SWAT Team, as a Special Victims Detective and Community Service Officer and Firearms instructor. Additionally, Commander Culver has been serving as an Academy Instructor for the Allan Hancock College Law Enforcement Program since 2019. Commander Culver also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
Commander Culver will serve as Interim Chief of Police until the City completes a recruitment for its new Chief of Police.
“Commander Culver’s qualifications and proven commitment to public service and the City of Arroyo Grande make him the ideal individual to serve as Interim Chief of Police,” says City Manager Matthew Downing.