12/18/2024
After nearly three decades of walking the beat and commanding the ranks, Chief Michael Moulton has hung up his badge. Today, the El Cajon Police Department, and several members of our fellow agencies, bid farewell to the man who steered it through some of the most turbulent, yet resilient, years in recent memory. Moulton, the 15th Chief for the department, has seen—and done—it all.
Sitting with Chief Moulton, you quickly realize he isn't your typical law enforcement leader. There’s no bravado or chest-pounding about his accomplishments. Instead, there's a quiet, focused humility that comes with nearly three decades of service to the people of El Cajon. And that’s exactly what has defined Moulton’s career: service.
A Calling to Serve
Moulton’s journey into law enforcement began after spending time at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges, where he majored in criminal justice. "I always had a sense of service," he says, reflecting on what first drew him to the badge. "I knew there was right and wrong in this world, and I wanted to be on the right side of that." Growing up in San Diego County since fourth grade, Moulton found his way to the El Cajon Police Department at just 21 years old.
“I remember thinking I’d maybe make it to lieutenant one day. Back then, being Chief was a distant idea,” he says with a laugh. But Moulton’s ambitions grew along with his experience. His time on the force wasn’t without its challenges, yet it was those very challenges that shaped him. As a rookie, he worked in the Community Policing Unit and moved into detective roles in the Gang Suppression Unit, learning every aspect of policing, from drug enforcement to high-profile criminal investigations. But his real test of leadership came when he joined the department's SWAT team in 1997. “SWAT taught me a lot about teamwork and discipline, but it also showed me the human side of policing in a way I hadn’t experienced before.”
That exposure to high-pressure situations early in his career set the tone for how he would lead the department. “You have to be calm under pressure, and that’s something I learned from SWAT,” he explains. “The stakes were high, and it wasn’t just about your life or the suspect’s life—it was about protecting the community and your fellow officers.”
Rising Through the Ranks
Moulton’s steady climb through the ranks was as much about timing as it was about skill. After becoming a Sergeant in 2002, he took on leadership roles in multiple divisions, from leading the School Resource Officers to supervising the crime-free multi-housing officer program, all while continuing to push for innovation. "We didn't have some of the units we have today. The department has grown and changed, and I was fortunate enough to be part of that evolution."
His eventual promotion to Lieutenant and then Captain solidified his influence over the direction of the department. But it was his ascension to Chief of Police in September 2019—just months before the world would be hit by a global pandemic—that tested his leadership like never before.
Navigating Crisis Through COVID and Unrest
In 2020, the pandemic swept across the world, and law enforcement wasn’t immune to its effects. “When I took over, we had no idea what was coming. COVID changed everything,” Moulton recalls. “We had to make immediate adjustments to how we operated—how we kept our officers safe, how we interacted with the public, and how we managed the uncertainty.”
And as if a global pandemic wasn’t enough, Moulton faced another test with the civil unrest that followed the Black Lives Matter movement. “2020 was probably the hardest year in law enforcement in the last 60 years,” he reflects. "The unrest wasn’t just about anti-government sentiment, like in the ’60s—it was specifically anti-police. Navigating that while trying to maintain public trust was incredibly challenging."
But Moulton didn’t flinch. He led his department through it with a focus on transparency, community engagement, and adaptability. Moulton’s greatest source of pride was in how the department and the community came together during the crisis. “We came out stronger on the other side,” he says, noting how officers adapted to new challenges. “Even when public trust was shaky, the community of El Cajon had our backs. That kept us going.”
A Legacy of Innovation
While Moulton’s leadership was defined by resilience, one of his most significant contributions to the department was his push for integrating technology into every facet of policing. "Our budget wasn’t growing, but the demands on the department were," Moulton explains. "We needed to find ways to do more with less, and technology became a big part of that solution."
From implementing the ALPR system to expanding the department’s use of drones, Moulton saw the future of law enforcement tied directly to innovation. "We’re able to get drones on scene before officers arrive, providing real-time information that keeps both the public and our officers safe. That’s a game changer."
Under his leadership, Moulton worked with City Council implementing new technologies like Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs), which helped solve crimes faster and more efficiently. The ALPR system, in its first year, recovered over $1.2 million in stolen vehicles and resulted in 151 arrests. "Technology became a key tool for us to not only stay ahead but to do more with fewer resources," he says.
Moulton’s excitement for the future of policing is palpable when he talks about where technology is headed. “We’re on the cusp of having drones respond to calls automatically, track stolen vehicles, and even identify suspects without needing an officer to be physically present. That’s not science fiction anymore—that’s the future,” he says with enthusiasm.
But it’s not just about making the department more efficient; it’s about protecting the community. "These advancements aren’t just about making our jobs easier. They’re about improving response times, reducing the need for dangerous confrontations, and making our community safer overall," he says.
Moulton has no doubt that the El Cajon Police Department will continue to be at the forefront of technology. "The next few years are going to see even more incredible advances. Artificial intelligence, automated systems—it’s all coming faster than we think. And it’s going to save lives."
The Human Side of Policing
For all the advancements in technology and tactics, Moulton never lost sight of the most important element of law enforcement: the people. Over the years, he saw firsthand the immense toll the job takes on those who wear the badge. "This career can be tough, emotionally and mentally," he says. "When I started, we never talked about mental health. You were expected to take the hits and move on. But the reality is, the trauma builds."
Moulton speaks from personal experience, having witnessed some of the worst moments life can offer. He recalls a harrowing incident involving an officer being shot during a standoff, a suspect who had just killed his own child. "I’ve seen people at their worst moments. The things we’re exposed to—murder scenes, su***des, domestic violence—it all leaves a mark. And back in the day, we weren’t prepared for how to cope with it."
One of the pivotal moments in Moulton's career was the introduction of formalized mental health support following a traumatic incident. “We had an officer who took his own life, and it was devastating. It made me realize just how fragile we all are, no matter how tough we seem on the outside,” he says somberly. "Police officers die by su***de at rates far higher than the general public. It’s not something people talk about enough, but it’s one of the harsh realities of this job."
Moulton knew that addressing this issue head-on was critical for the health of the department. He pushed for better mental health resources and encouraged officers to speak up when they were struggling. “There’s a culture of silence in policing, especially when it comes to admitting you’re not okay. But I’ve seen too many good officers burn out or worse. The job demands so much from you, and without the right support, it can break you.”
The Challenges That Changed Law Enforcement
When asked about the biggest challenges he’s seen in his nearly 30-year career, Moulton doesn’t hesitate: California’s Criminal Justice Reform. "The last decade, particularly with the passage of laws like Proposition 47, has changed the landscape of law enforcement. We arrest people for drug possession or theft, but there’s no jail time, little to no punishments—they’re back on the streets in a matter of hours. It’s frustrating for officers, and it changes how we do our jobs," he says.
Moulton points to the broader shift in society’s expectations of police. "We’ve been asked to take on roles we weren’t designed for—mental health, homelessness, addiction. When someone’s in crisis, we’re the ones sent in, but it’s not always a police officer they need." This growing tension between law enforcement’s traditional roles and the new responsibilities thrust upon them has, according to Moulton, fundamentally altered the profession.
But despite the frustrations, he remains hopeful. "We’re seeing officers adapt to these challenges, leveraging technology, and finding new ways to de-escalate situations that would have ended in tragedy 10 years ago. We’ve made huge strides in de-escalation techniques, and our officers are better trained than ever before."
A Family Man at Heart
While Moulton’s career has been marked by his professional achievements, he’s quick to admit that his personal life often took a backseat to his duties. “There’s a lot of sacrifices in this career, especially with family. I missed a lot of school events and birthdays. My kids didn’t choose this profession, but they had to live with its demands.”
Moulton’s son is now in college, and his daughter is in high school—two milestones that have him reflecting on the passage of time. “I’m ready to spend more time with them,” he says. "I’ve given a lot to this career, but now it’s time to give more to my family."
As he transitions into retirement, Moulton plans to make up for lost time. “I don’t have any specific plans yet, but I’m looking forward to not missing those important moments with my family. That’s what matters now.”
Advice for the Next Generation
As Moulton prepares to hand over the reins, he offers some hard-earned advice to both his successor and the next generation of police officers. “To the new Chief, I’d say this: never lose sight of why we do this job. It’s about protecting people, serving the community, and upholding the values of this profession. Listen to your officers—they’re the ones out there doing the hard work. Trust them.”
For new recruits, Moulton’s message is equally powerful. “This job is tough, but it’s also the most noble profession in the world. You’re here to serve, to protect, and to make moral and ethical decisions every day. If you stay grounded in that, you’ll do just fine.”
