Morro Bay, Calif. – City Manager Scott Collins has appointed Amy Watkins to serve as the City’s Police Chief.   Chief Watkins had served as the interim Police Chief since December 31, 2022, following the retirement of former Police Chief Jody Cox.   Chief Watkins will lead the Police Department and serve on the City’s executive team.  

 Amy Watkins joined the Morro Bay Police Department in 2019, serving as the Police Commander throughout her tenure here.  She helped lead the Department through an expansion of programs connecting the Department and the community, including launching the Citizen’s Academy, Police Chief’s Advisory Board, and mobile phone app (Morro Bay Police Department), among many other initiatives.  Chief Watkins has helped train new police officers and sergeants within the Department and served on the City emergency team to help aide the City and community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.  She also led the Department in its response to the recent storm surge emergency in January.   Prior to coming to Morro Bay, Amy accumulated 20 years of law enforcement experience with the Visalia Police Department.  

 “I am excited to announce that Amy Watkins will serve as our Police Chief,” said City Manager Scott Collins.  “I appointed her to the interim role in December after conducting surveys of the Morro Bay Police team and the community.  Survey results demonstrated resounding support for the current direction of the Police Department.  Further, many respondents stated their desire for the City to look internally for the next Chief.  Amy has performed exceptionally well in the interim role, and she was recently vetted by a panel of current police chiefs in our county and a panel of Morro Bay community members.  There was unanimous support from the panels for Watkins to be appointed to the Chief role.   She is ready to lead the team of talented and dedicated law enforcement and administrative personnel of the Police Department into the future.”  

 In accepting the Police Chief role, Amy Watkins stated, “I am honored for the opportunity to serve the dedicated men and women of the Morro Bay Police Department. I am excited to continue to build strong relationships with the community as your Police Chief.”

The swearing-in ceremony for Chief Watkins is scheduled for Friday, February 24th at 10:00am at the Morro Bay Vets Hall.  Members of the public are welcomed to attend.