A veteran El Cajon police officer with deep roots in the East County community has been tapped to be the next chief of the El Cajon Police Department.
Capt. Jeremiah Larson will become the city’s 16th police chief when he steps into role on Dec. 18, following his selection by El Cajon City Manager Graham Mitchell, the city announced Tuesday.
“I can’t think of anyone more qualified to serve and lead the department than Captain Jeremiah Larson,” Mitchell said in a news release. “Captain Larson’s extensive experience, high ethical standard, and love for our community make him the right choice as El Cajon’s Police Chief. I think his approach to law enforcement will truly serve our department and our community.”
With more than 106,000 residents, according to the most recent census, El Cajon is the sixth largest of the region’s 18 cities.
As chief, Larson will lead a department of 165 sworn officers and 63 civilian staff members. Its budget this fiscal year is nearly $51.6 million.
“Our department is filled with the most dedicated and hard-working professionals in law enforcement,” Larson said in a statement provided to the Union-Tribune. “I am honored and excited to lead this agency, and I look forward to preserving and growing the community’s trust in its police department.”
Larson grew up in El Cajon and graduated from Granite Hills High School. He has been with his hometown department for nearly 23 years, joining in January 2002.
Larson’s two-plus decades as a police officer took him through several assignments, from patrol to investigations to training, as well as 18 years as a member of the SWAT team. The city also noted that Larson has been, for the last 11 years, a “pivotal ECPD Peer Support team member.”
He was promoted to sergeant in 2014, lieutenant in 2019, and earned captain bars in early 2023.
Larson replaces outgoing Chief Mike Moulton, who is retiring this month after five years in the job. Moulton issued a statement hailing the new chief’s leadership abilities and noting that the decision to select Larson “reflects his exceptional qualifications and the trust and confidence placed in him to lead our department into the future.”
Although Larson officially takes the department reins later this month, he will be formally sworn in Jan. 14 during an El Cajon City Council meeting.
