South Bay Top Cop Calls It Quits: Report

SAN JOSE, CA — San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia announced his retirement Monday, The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Garcia, who has headed the force since 2016, will step down at the end of the year according to the report.

#BREAKING: #SanJose Police Chief Eddie Garcia has announced his retirement. https://t.co/PREWQ25n8M
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) August 4, 2020

His retirement comes amid a national reckoning over racial justice and police brutality that came into focus in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in police custody on Memorial Day.

Garcia insists his decision to retire had been in the works for many months and wasn’t related to current events, the report said.

“I’m at peace with it. I know people will try to connect dots because of what’s going on, and all the change that is happening, but this decision was made long ago,” Garcia told The Mercury News.

“I was a Puerto Rican kid that came to San Jose, and I didn’t know how to speak English. I ended up being the chief of police for the 10th largest city in the country. I’m humbled … and forever thankful for the opportunity this city and department gave me.”

Garcia’s retirement culminates a 28-year career. He turns 50 later this year.

“Chief Garcia never forgot what it was like to push a patrol car through the streets of San Jose and what a difficult job police officers have in trying to keep our residents and businesses safe,” said Paul Kelly, president of the San Jose Police Officers’ Association, according to the report.

Read more in The San Jose Mercury News.