Commander Daniel Rios

Police Commander Daniel Rios is a lifelong Santa Maria resident with more than 25 years of law enforcement experience. He began his career with the Lompoc Police Department in 2000, serving his final five years as a Sergeant, and joined the Santa Maria Police Department in 2011. His career reflects a strong commitment to public service, operational excellence, and building community trust through meaningful partnerships.

Commander Rios graduated from Santa Maria High School and holds an Associate of Science in Administration of Justice from Allan Hancock College, a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from California Coast University and is currently completing a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership. He is a proud graduate of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Santa Maria Valley program, the Sherman Block Leadership Institute (Class 277), and the FBI National Academy (Class 297).

Throughout his career, Commander Rios has served in and supervised a wide range of assignments, including Patrol, Field Training Officer, Detective Bureau, Crime Lab, Property and Evidence, Community Services Unit, K-9 Unit, Public Information Officer, Training Bureau, Traffic Unit, Range – Firearms Training Unit, Arrest & Control (ARCON) Unit, Mobile Field Force, Mounted Enforcement Unit and SWAT.

Deeply invested in the community, Commander Rios is a proud Boys & Girls Club alumnus and serves on the Boards of Directors for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Mid Central Coast and Pacific Christian Center. He has coached youth sports, served on PTA boards, and remains active with the Boys & Girls Club Railroad Club Alumni Committee and the Santa Maria Police Council. He and his wife are lifelong Santa Maria residents committed to the City’s continued growth and well-being.

Highlights