PARLIER – In just a few weeks, the city of Parlier is set to have a new, permanent chief leading the police department.
Interim Police Chief Michael Salvador introduced Rene Garza, currently a commander with the Selma Police Department, to the Parlier City Council July 16. Although the city has a few more paperwork hoops to go through with the state of California and the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, Salvador said, Garza is ready to take over the Parlier Police Department in early- to mid-August.
“I’m extremely happy,” Salvador said. “I’m extremely proud of this gentleman here. … Excellent family, excellent candidate and I can’t wait to give him the reins. I think he’s going to do great things here.”
Garza comes from what Salvador called the “quintessential law enforcement family.” One of Garza’s brothers is retired Reedley Police Chief Joe Garza, and another of his brothers, Ramiro Garza, is a sergeant with the Sanger Police Department.
Rene Garza has been with the Selma Police Department for 26 years, having recently celebrated his anniversary in the city. As a commander with the department, Garza also spent time as the acting chief of police prior to the appointment of the city’s current chief in 2022.
“I’m very, very blessed, and Selma has been very, very good to me,” Garza said.
Despite not being officially sworn in just yet, Garza told the council that he wanted to take a few minutes to share his philosophy of policing. He said he believes great policing rests on three principles: trust, partnership and service.
“I recognize that trust is not simply given; it is earned,” Garza said. “I intend to earn that trust every day through my actions, my decisions and my commitment to serving this community.”
He said he plans to work closely with the city council, city manager, schools, businesses and other organizations within Parlier to ensure that the police department has strong partnerships that will help it keep the community safe.
Garza said he believes in the principles of 21st century policing, which maintain that public safety is strongest when law enforcement builds trust, embraces transparency, invests in employees, solves problems together and works in partnership with the community it serves.
Finally, he said that to the men and women of the Parlier Police Department, he is here to support every single officer and additional non-sworn staff. He said he will expect professionalism, integrity, compassion and accountability from his staff, and in return, they will have his support.
“I look forward to proudly wearing the Parlier Police Department uniform, getting to know the outstanding men and women of this department and working alongside our city employees, and, most importantly, earning the trust of Parlier residents,” Garza said.
Garza thanked Salvador for his leadership during the transition and also said he has prepared the department well.
Salvador has been working to clean up the operations of the police department during his time as interim chief, suggesting ways to improve and establish administrative policies and manage a tight budget that’s already more than the city can afford. He was appointed to the interim position in November 2025 after former Chief David Cerda retired.
