Chief announces retirement

Pleasanton Express
By Pleasanton Express Staff 
March 15, 2023

City of Pleasanton Police Chief Ronald Sanchez announced his retirement effective August 31, 2023, at the Pleasanton City Council meeting held on Thursday. The retirement will ultimately end his 26 years in law enforcement and 10 years as Pleasanton Police Chief.

“It was not an easy decision after 26 years in this profession,” he said. “This is all I have done in my adult life. There are high points and low points, but I feel honored and fortunate to serve this community because it’s a wonderful community who supports our police officers and it’s wonderful to have a council and city manager that supports its police officers. This has been an incredible honor for me.”

Sanchez’s career began in 1994 as a corrections officer under former Atascosa County Sheriff Tommy Williams. He then attended the police academy while working as a corrections officer and became commissioned as a peace officer.

Two years later in 1996, he applied with the Pleasanton Police Department and was hired at the age of 32 under former Chief Keith Blair.

Sanchez worked his way up the chain of command by being named sergeant and eventually lieutenant before being appointed as chief on February 6, 2013, after former Chief Gary Soward resigned.

“I feel very fortunate to have served a great community. And, you know? It’s time – it’s time to live,” he said. “I’ve lived on the edge for the last 26 years, so now it’s time to relax. I’m gonna take a month or two off and do some traveling, and then I plan on possibly working somewhere in the private sector.”

Sanchez told council that Assistant Police Chief Ernest Guerra would present on behalf of the Pleasanton Police Department to city council in the meantime if needed.