EC Police Chief Madueño retires
EL CENTRO — Today marks El Centro Police Chief Eddie Madueño’s last day on the job, after nearly 34 years with the department, including three years as its chief.
After today, Madueño said he envisions the majority of his time will be spent with family, including visiting his parents locally and his daughters who are off in college.
His plans also include continuing to teach at Imperial Valley College, where he has been a part-time criminal justice instructor for more than 15 years.
Yet, Madueño admits his immediate future could be subject to change.
“If something comes up that piques my interest and I’m qualified for, then I’ll see,” he said.
The thought of retirement initially crossed the 55-yearold’s mind about three years ago, when he had reached the minimum retirement age. Those thoughts were shortlived, after the opportunity to become chief of the El Centro Police Department had presented itself, Madueño said.
“That was a dream of mine — a goal,” he said. “The idea that you can lead it and kind of move forward your vision for an agency is what really motivated me.”
His decision to remain with the only police department he has ever worked for was also helped along by his conviction that his employers and colleagues continued to appreciate his presence.
It is rather remarkable, Madueño said, to still feel a profound sense of gratitude to city officials for having provided him an opportunity to serve his hometown as well as provide the level of support that they had through his tenure.
“What I’ve appreciated most is they’ve let me be the chief,” the 1980 graduate of Central Union High School said. “What more can you ask for.”
Learning to lead
Madueño said he initially had thoughts of pursuing a legal career, yet was doubtful he was mature enough to succeed in such an endeavor immediately after high school.
A career in law enforcement wasn’t something Madueño considered much until after having served as military police during his time in the U.S. Army following high school graduation.
At the end of his military service, Madueño applied with the U.S. Border Patrol, California Highway Patrol and ECPD, which was the first to call him back.
“I’ve enjoyed it since day one,” he said.
Early on, Madueño decided that he wanted to take the needed steps allowing him to potentially apply for the chief’s position if the opportunity ever arose, rather than being ineligible for not having the appropriate level of experience and training.
In preparation, Madueño spoke with a variety of senior supervisors about their responsibilities and requisite skills and training.
With the support of the department, he also enrolled in a number of programs, including sergeant’s training with the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, Los Angeles Police Department’s West Point Leadership Program and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy in Quantico, Va.
“It was training geared for people who wanted to expand their leadership capabilities,” Madueño said. “So I really aggressively sought those out.”
Within the department, Madueño’s professional drive also had an effect on his colleagues, said Michael Crankshaw, recently retired Brawley Police Department chief.
“That was a dream of mine — a goal. The idea that you can lead it and kind of move forward your vision for an agency is what really motivated me.” Eddie Madueño, El Centro Police Chief
Crankshaw said his own motivation to acquire supervisory training and experience is owed largely to Madueño’s influence and encouragement during the years the two spent working together at ECPD.
“I think he was instrumental in developing a lot of us folks to think about going and doing the same career track,” he said.
Proven leadership, in any job field, requires that one be approachable, flexible, and have genuine care for colleagues as well as the community, attributes that Madueño clearly demonstrated, Crankshaw said.
Madueño’s professionalism and experience also could’ve easily landed him a chief’s position with any police department of his choosing, had he wanted it, Crankshaw said.
“He wasn’t interested in any other job,” he said. “Which I think, illustrates his commitment to our community.”
Despite his pending retirement, Madueño’s leadership skills should continue to help shape the commitment and dedication his IVC students have toward a potential law enforcement career, which can be extremely demanding, said Imperial County Sheriff Ray Loera.
“He is a type of person that can instill direction for these young people,” Loera said.
Loera too had worked with Madueño at the ECPD, where Loera had served as a senior patrol officer when Madueño initially arrived in 1984. Through the years, both would continue to climb the ranks, with Madueño serving as a captain under chief Loera prior to Loera being elected county sheriff in 2007. During those years, Loera said he had come to admire and depend on Madueño’s professionalism.
“Everybody always looked to him as an example of what to do and how to conduct themselves,” he said. Looking back
Among the things Madueño said that he will miss most about the job is the constant interaction he’s had with personnel from the department and the city, as well as the public.
Among the things that Madueño said he will not miss is the increased negativity that has been directed at law enforcement officials across the nation in recent times.
“Some of the criticism has been warranted — we’ve made mistakes,” Madueño said. “Other times, it’s been unwarranted.”
Through it all, Madueño said he had come to rely on his faith in God, his values and doing what he felt benefited society as a whole.
Regardless of the challenges encountered and tough choices made, Madueño said he rests assured that his actions were made with the best available information at hand and knowing how they would impact all parties involved.
“There’s some people who we will never please no matter what we do,” he said, “but in general, our community has been very fair to us.”