In November 2022, the Stockton Unified School District (SUSD) made a monumental decision by appointing Mayra Franco Gonzalez as its permanent police chief.
This marked a significant milestone as Franco, aged 38, became the first Latina to hold this position.
Born in the United States to Mexican immigrant parents, Franco has lived in Stockton since she was five. Having grown up in the South Stockton neighborhood of Conway Homes, Franco admits that she initially had negative perceptions of the police.
However, her views started to shift when a friend suggested she consider a career in law enforcement after completing her associate degree in liberal studies.
Franco's time at the Stockton POST academy was transformative, with a Latina instructor inspiring her to envision herself in a law enforcement role.
This belief in the power of representation underpins her philosophy as police chief, and she's committed to passing this message on to students.
Despite initial hesitations, Franco decided to apply for the interim chief position in 2022 after being encouraged by community members. She believes in demonstrating to her own children and the community's youth that they should seize leadership opportunities when capable.
Overcoming numerous challenges, including studying for the bar exam while caring for a newborn, Franco earned her law degree from Humphrey’s College in Stockton.
While she considered leaving law enforcement to pursue a career as a lawyer, Franco chose to stay on the force to help implement positive changes she saw on the horizon.
Franco is passionate about humanizing police work and creating a supportive environment in schools. Under her leadership, the SUSD police department has transitioned into more of a support system, focusing on providing resources like mental health services rather than purely enforcing the law.
As police chief, Franco is open to difficult conversations about police reform, and she's working towards the goals of movements like "defund the police" by ensuring her officers represent and understand their communities.
She's also proud of the close relationships her officers have developed within their assigned schools, positioning them as trusted figures who can guide Stockton police when needed.
Looking forward, Franco has plans to integrate the district's Emergency Services Division and police department for a more cohesive response to crises. She also plans to train officers in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) in light of recent incidents of violence in schools.
Franco's journey is a testament to the power of representation and community engagement, proving that barriers can be broken and inspiring a new generation to consider careers in law enforcement. To read more on this check out Vivienne Aguilar's article on The Stocktonia.