Escondido, CA – Escondido’s Chief of Police, Ed Varso, announced his retirement. His last day will be December 5. Chief Varso began his career in 1997 with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He joined the Escondido Police Department in 2001 when he was hired as a Police Officer. Ed served as a Police Officer and Police K-9 Handler until he was promoted to Sergeant in 2011. In January 2015, he was promoted to Lieutenant, promoted to Captain in 2018, Assistant Chief of Police in October 2019, and finally appointed to the position of Chief of Police in January 2020.
In 2022, Chief Varso transferred to the newly created Menifee Police Department where he furthered strengthened a community policing philosophy into department processes before returning as Chief of Police for the City of Escondido.
Over the course of his career, Chief Varso got to know the workings of the Escondido Police Department thoroughly since he has worked in nearly every division within the department: managing the Special Investigations Division, Traffic Division, and the Emergency Negotiations Team. He also served as the department’s Public Information Officer. Prior to Police Chief, Mr. Varso managed the Services Bureau with oversight of the Police and Fire Communication Center, the Backgrounds and Training Unit, Property and Evidence, Records Division, and Business Division. Chief Varso has a reputation for being a dynamic leader with strong strategic management abilities. In
2017, he accepted a temporary special assignment within the Escondido City Manager’s Office to assist in addressing public safety, homelessness, and code enforcement issues.
Chief Varso has kept very close ties to the community throughout his tenure with the City. In particular, he has worked with at-risk youth, was the former Chair of the Escondido Drug Free Communities Coalition, former Co-Chair of the Escondido Gang Reduction and Intervention Program, and participated in the San Diego Shop with a Cop program for over fifteen years.
Chief Varso has served a Board Member for the California Police Chief’s Association. He has a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a Master of Public Administration degree. He is also a graduate of the 267th Session of the FBI National Academy, and California POST (Peace Officers Standards and Training) Supervisory Leadership Institute.
City of Escondido News Release Page 2
Chief Varso shared, “It has been an honor to serve as Chief of Police through some of the most challenging times ever to face the City of Escondido. I want to thank our City Manager Sean McGlynn, the Escondido City Council, and our entire community for entrusting me to lead your police department, not just once, but twice. I have my full faith in the current EPD management team and look forward to seeing them take this exceptional police department to new heights. As for my next chapter, my wife and I are excited to move to land in Texas, where we can be closer to friends and family. Escondido, you will always have a special place in my heart.”
Escondido City Manager Sean McGlynn said, “Ed has been an incredible leader during his time in Escondido. He has been extremely visible in our community and has proactively made himself available to our residents. His investment in the safety of Escondido is apparent in the legacy he is leaving behind.”
Mr. McGlynn continued, “I will rotate our three current captains in the Acting Chief role
until a successor is selected.”
A nationwide recruitment for the next Escondido Police Chief will begin in early 2025, with an appointment expected by June.
