In March 2009, Deputy Chief Sanchez graduated from the highly prestigious Naval Postgraduate School, Center for Homeland Defense and Security with his Masters Degree in Security Studies (Homeland Security) and received the Curtis H. “Butch” Straub Award for academic excellence, leadership, and outstanding thesis (Increasing Information Sharing Among Independent Police Departments). He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the University of Redlands and is a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police, Federal Bureau of Investigations – National Academy, the Peace Officer Standards and Training – Executive Development, and Command College for Executive Leadership, where he received top honors as the most inspirational leader of his cohort. 

Deputy Chief Sanchez has twice been awarded the Department’s Medal of Courage for heroic actions during tactical operations.  He was also awarded the Department’s Medal of Merit for his vision and implementation of the Department’s Special Entry Team.  Deputy Chief Sanchez has numerous departmental commendations and has been honored as the Officer of the Year by several Santa Monica service organizations.  He is involved in many local partnerships with nonprofit organizations to address homelessness and frequently speaks to elementary, middle, and high school students on a variety of topics, including personal safety, substance abuse, civil rights and government.

Deputy Chief Sanchez is a member of several professional law enforcement organizations and associations, including: the Naval Postgraduate School Alumni, California Chiefs of Police, the Command College Alumni, Federal Bureau of Investigations - National Academy, the Police Executive Research Forum, the National Tactical Officers, the Federal Bureau of Investigations - Leadership Executive Development, and the Hispanic American Police Command Officers. He has been an adjunct instructor at the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy for nearly 10 years and has lectured at the Naval Postgraduate School’s Executive Leadership Program. Deputy Chief Sanchez enjoys outdoor activities including road cycling and water skiing with his wife Deborah and two sons.