PARLIER – The city of Parlier has a new interim police chief who is ready to dig into the department’s budget and keep operations afloat until a permanent chief takes over.
City Manager Aaron Palmer introduced Interim Police Chief Michael Salvador to the Parlier City Council on Nov. 12. Salvador started in the position on Oct. 20 and replaced former Police Chief David Cerda, who quietly retired on Oct. 17.
“As you’ve probably seen, we have a new police chief at the end. It’s not Chief Cerda, because he’s retired,” Palmer said to the council. “So we have Mike Salvador, who … comes highly recommended. He’s been here three weeks and made some really good recommendations to me about some issues.”
Salvador comes to Parlier most recently from Sanger, where he filled in for about three months earlier this year. He has 37 years of experience in law enforcement, last serving in a permanent police chief position in the city of Atwater for nearly six years before his retirement in December 2024.
Prior to that, he spent three and a half years as police chief in Coalinga and nearly two decades with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, including two years spent as undersheriff. Salvador holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from California State University, Fresno and a master’s degree in criminal justice administration from Columbia Southern University.
Salvador said he grew up in Kerman, “so I understand towns like Parlier, because we used to play you guys all the time.” He added that Parlier has the same issues as all small towns, like the need for abandoned vehicle abatement, which was discussed by residents earlier in the meeting.
Referencing other issues community members brought up during the meeting, Salvador listed off his experience and qualifications for addressing those needs.
When it comes to pedestrian safety, Salvador said he spent six years serving on the Madera Unified School District Board of Trustees, so he understands the need for safe routes to schools. Noting that the police station is currently undergoing renovations, Salvador said he built one building and renovated three others when he was with the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.
Regarding his approach to the position, Salvador said his door is always open, as is a spot at his lunch table.
“One of the things I like to do is I like to have lunch in a different restaurant in my jurisdiction every single day, so if you see me at a restaurant, the seats always open, please come down, have lunch with me,” Salvador said.
He acknowledged that there are many issues facing the police department and the need for providing public safety in Parlier, and his goal and vision for his time with the city is to make things better, even if it’s just by a little bit.
“I won’t promise you I can fix everything, but what I will promise you is this: if you ask a question of me, you’ll get my best, professional and honest answer,” Salvador said. “You may not like the answer, but you’ll at least walk away knowing my point of view.”
This approach is likely to come up in January, which is when Salvador said he’d like to bring a presentation to the city council that goes over the police department’s budget. Approximately half of the city’s general fund goes toward the police department, which Salvador said is a “dangerous position” for Parlier to be in.
As a retired public employee, Salvador will be limited to working no more than 960 hours, or six months at 40 hours a week, in a fiscal year, according to California Public Employees’ Retirement Systems (CalPERS) rules. The Parlier City Council will also need to pass a resolution to appoint Salvador to the interim position, which it is expected to do at its next meeting scheduled for Dec. 10.
Palmer said the city will look at bringing on an outside recruiter to lead the search for a new permanent police chief. Salvador told the council he expects to be in Parlier for the next four to six months and will help in that search for the next police chief, looking for someone who has “a little bit of energy, little bit of vision and the will to move,” he said.
