Roberto Filice named Salinas’ new police chief
SALINAS >> City officials named Assistant Police Chief Roberto Filice as the new Salinas police chief, replacing Adele Fresé, at a news conference Tuesday.
Salinas City Manager Steve Carrigan said a lot of people took part in the search for a new police chief, but ultimately the city manager decides. He said the police chief search panel moved three candidates forward to him and he met with the finalists last week, adding that all three were outstanding and he thinks all three will eventually become police chiefs.
“This is the most important decision (that I will make as city manager),” Carrigan said. “People want to live in safe, wellmanaged communities and public safety is important at the city of Salinas.”
Filice has been serving as the interim police chief since Fresé retired from the department earlier this year. He joined the Salinas Police Department in 2017 as an assistant chief. Before his move to Salinas, Filice worked for five years at the Marina Police Department and five years at the Seaside Police Department. He immigrated to the United States from Italy and said one of his first jobs was picking grapes in the fields. He received a master’s degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s in Public Administration. Filice is fluent in Spanish, English and Italian.
Filice thanked the community and the officers of his department as well as Fresé and retired Marina Police Chief Eddie Rodriguez, calling both great mentors. When asked what he plans to do differently than his predecessor, Filice said he plans on promoting technology and focusing on officer wellness.
“I’m going to utilize technology to augment what we’re doing to keep the city safe,” he said.
In terms of officer wellness, Filice said it’s time to start asking officers how they are doing.
“These are your police officers, they are not my police officers, they belong to the community,” he said. “They are the greatest asset we have.”
Marina police Cmdr. Eddie Anderson was on hand at the conference to watch his friend be appointed Salinas police chief. Anderson was a sergeant in Marina while Filice served as a commander. He said he was one of the greatest leaders and mentors he’s ever had and credited Filice for where he is now.
“He’s been very instrumental in my career and how I’m doing,” Anderson said. “We’ve remained friends, we talk all the time and bounce things off each other. It’s been a pleasure knowing him. Outside of wearing the uniform, he’s one of the most decent people you could know. He’s honest, he wears his heart on his sleeve and he’s always someone you can go to, no matter what it is.”
“I’m here to serve my community … and I will do whatever I can to keep it safe. I’m going to make decisions that some of you may like, may not like, but ultimately the only thing that matters to me is my community.” — Roberto Filice, the new Salinas police chief
Filice said he is a public servant and he expects his officers to serve the community as well.
“I’m here to serve my community … and I will do whatever I can to keep it safe,” he said. “I’m going to make decisions that some of you may like, may not like, but ultimately the only thing that matters to me is my community.”
When asked how long he plans on serving as Salinas police chief, Filice said “I will stick around for as long as the boss keeps me here,” as he smiled and pointed to Carrigan. Fresé held the position for five years and her predecessor, Kelly McMillin, served as chief for four years.
“I don’t plan on going anywhere,” Filice said. “This is not a stepping stone. I’m not looking to be the chief here so I can move on to bigger things. No, Salinas is my home. This is where I’m staying.”