Richard Palomo is Chief of Police for the Southwest ISD School District Police Department. Chief Palomo was appointed to his current position in August 2016, prior to his appointment at Southwest ISD he served as the Chief of Police at Laredo ISD from 2013-2016 and has over thirty three years of school based law enforcement experience. Chief Palomo began his career with the San Antonio Airport Police, before joining the San Antonio School District Police Department in July 1987. He has served in the U.S. Army and Navy with honor and distinction. He recently retired as a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve, held the rank of Senior Chief Petty Officer, and was the Senior Enlisted Leader for Navy Security Force, Naval Air Station, at Corpus Christi, Texas.

Prior to his appointment to Chief of Police, he was employed by the San Antonio School District Police Department, where he supervised various units within the police department including; Patrol, Gang, and Campus Operations. Chief Palomo was instrumental in supervising a highly effective Gang Intervention Unit, and also implemented and taught the Gang Resistance Education and Training program at the elementary and junior high levels. The program received high marks from parents and school administrators. He also assisted in forming the first school district police department Police Explorers post in the San Antonio area. Police Explorers is a program designed to provide mentorship to high school students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement.

Chief Palomo is a strong advocate of the P.I.E. approach to policing. He places a strong emphasis on Prevention, Intervention, and Enforcement. This philosophy works well with community and problem solving policing in school districts, where police officers have an opportunity to interact with students, staff members, and parents on a daily basis.

Chief Palomo believes school district police officers are in a unique position to make a direct impact on student’s lives. He supports early prevention programs for students, such as P.RO.M.I.S.E. L.E.A.D., G.R.E.A.T., Public Safety Cadets, Books and Badges, and intervention efforts for students.

He encourages and supports collaboration efforts with students, school staff, and community members, in finding innovative ways in keeping staff and students safe so they have an opportunity to learn and become productive citizens.

Chief Palomo earned an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from San Antonio College, a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences Degree from Southwest Texas State University, and a Master’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University.

Chief Palomo is a graduate of the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, Leadership Command College (Class # 56). He has served as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M International University, Our Lady of the Lake, and University of Phoenix.

Chief Palomo is a member of the following professional organizations; Alamo Area Police Chief Association, Hispanic American Police Command Officers’ Association, United States Navy Chief Petty Officers’ Association, and a former member of the Big Brother Big Sister program.