Manuel Cid has been selected as the next chief of police for the Anaheim Police Department. The city announced his appointment on December 4, 2025. Cid is currently the chief of the Glendale Police Department, a position he has held since January 2023. Before that, he served as chief of the Culver City Police Department from 2020 to 2023. He has more than 20 years of law enforcement experience, mainly with Culver City. His experience includes enforcement operations, investigations, administration, and emergency management. He has also worked with local, state, and federal taskforces.
In Glendale, Cid oversees 450 personnel, including 300 sworn officers and specialized units such as K-9, SWAT, and aviation. His appointment in Anaheim is pending final employment screening and City Council approval. If approved, he will start on December 29, 2025. Cid will be the 38th chief in the department’s 155-year history. He will lead a department of 600 employees, including more than 400 sworn officers. Anaheim’s police department is the largest city police force in Orange County after the county sheriff’s office.
Cid’s selection follows the retirement announcement of Chief Rick Armendariz, who has led the department since 2023. Armendariz will serve as interim chief during the transition. The city’s selection process included several months of community engagement, four public meetings, and an online survey to gather input on leadership priorities. Anaheim partnered with Public Sector Search & Consulting for the recruitment process, which began in September 2025. The process included input from the police union and other stakeholders…