#WhyIWearTheBadge is a campaign designed to highlight the diversity and commitment of the law enforcement profession. The badge is a symbol of courage, strength, and integrity. With the display of the badge comes great responsibility. So why do hundreds of thousands of men and women wear the badge each day?
To finish 2019, the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD) would like to recognize Sergeant Dominic Sandoval. Dominic began his career with SCPD in January 1997, the same year Michael Jordan led the Chicago Bulls to their 4th NBA title.
Dominic came to our Department after working for the Capitola Police Department for three years. He chose SCPD because of the small, close-knit Department, which had a lot of support from the community.
Dominic quickly established himself as the officer who was going to “help the great citizens and put the bad guys in jail.” His hard work and dedication offered him the opportunity to work multiple specialized assignments and collateral duties in his storied career.
Dominic was a member of our undercover narcotics team (SCAT) from 2001-2004. As an undercover detective, Dominic’s work was exemplary. As a result of his hard work, Dominic was hand-selected by retired Chief Lodge to work as an undercover detective in a countywide operation from 2006-2007. The operation was a success and led to the conviction of over 200 suspects.
Afterwards, Dominic returned to patrol until he was selected to work on the Special Enforcement Team (SET) from 2008-2010. SET is a plain clothes assignment which supports the Investigations/Patrol Divisions. In 2010, Dominic returned to patrol and in 2011 was selected as SCPD’s Range Master/Armorer. He was the Range Master from 2011-2018. You might recognize Dominic from the dozens of Citizen Police Academy’s he instructed during this time. Dominic was then selected to become a Motor Officer. Dominic successfully completed Motor Officer training and worked in the Motor unit from 2018-2019. He left the Motor Unit after he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in June 2019.
During each of his specialized assignments, Dominic also held collateral duties at SCPD. He was a Special Response Team (SRT) member, Field Training Officer, Emergency Vehicles Operations Course (EVOC) Instructor, Firearms Instructor and an Arrest, Control and Tactics Instructor.
Dominic is also a master welder and competent in building just about anything. He can be found at all hours of the day and night at the police building or the range just to “help out.” He is also a newly promoted black belt in Brazilian jiujitsu. In his spare time, Dominic usually comes in during his time off to accommodate his co-workers ever changing schedules.
Right about now, many of you are asking with all the specialized assignments and collateral duties how does Dominic relax? When he is not training jiujitsu or restoring old cars, you can find Dominic spending time with his wife and children.
