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Rich Lozano

Government & policy

Rich Lozano(he/him)

Board Member · Cosumnes Community Services District

BS Universitiy of Phoenix

Rich Lozano spent over 28 years with the Elk Grove Unified School District, rising from School Police Officer to Assistant Director of Safety, Security, and Police Services — proving that a career in public safety can look like a lot more than just patrol work. He went on to serve on the Galt City Council and as Vice Mayor, showing how one person can shape their community from multiple seats at the table. If you're drawn to law enforcement, local government, or public service, Rich's journey is a reminder that starting in your own community can take you further than you'd expect.

Their story

"Public service is about the people, not the paycheck or the power" Rich Lozano Councilman

19 min

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Key quotes

“One of the common themes in my career is, and I think people learn from this because it doesn't matter what career it is, but when I started my career, it certainly looked different. When I ended it, the job was different.”

Rich Lozano, retired Assistant Director of Safety, Security & Police Services

“If you're going to get into public service at any level, understand that you're serving the public. That's why they call it that.”

Rich Lozano, Galt City Council Member

“Being an elected official for me has been a full time hobby because it does take up full time work.”

Rich Lozano, Galt City Council Member

“I've always been proud of my heritage. My dad raised me to be a good person.”

Rich Lozano

“When you come home from work, you feel like you've made a difference. It makes a difference.”

Rich Lozano

Career highlights

You don't need a political connection to get into local government — just show up and pay attention.

Rich discovered two board seats were open simply by attending a community services district meeting about a softball field. He ran, won, and served eight years.

Your career will change — embrace it instead of fighting it.

Rich noted that when he started in school policing, the job looked completely different than when he retired. Major events like Columbine shifted how law enforcement and education worked together, and he adapted each time.

Get a degree, but don't wait for it to start building experience.

Rich earned his bachelor's in business after he was already working in law enforcement. He said you can succeed without a degree beyond high school, but having one opens more doors.

Public service is about the people, not the paycheck or the power.

Rich was direct: the stipend for city council work in his city is $300 a month. He said if your motivation has anything to do with money or ego, don't run. If it's about building something for your community, go for it.

Being connected to your community is itself a qualification — use it.

Rich talked about spending three and a half hours at a Día de los Muertos celebration at a local cemetery just by talking to residents and listening. That kind of presence and listening is what effective local leadership actually looks like.

Law enforcement in a school setting is more about helping kids and families than anything else.

Rich said he would take 100 kids over two parents any day — meaning the work he loved most was supporting young people directly, which surprised many of his colleagues who couldn't imagine that environment.

Student summary
Rich Lozano is a recently retired school police officer who spent 28 and a half years with the Elk Grove Unified School District, working his way up from patrol officer all the way to Assistant Director of Safety, Security, and Police Services. He also served two terms on a community services district board and was elected to the Galt City Council, eventually stepping in as Vice Mayor. His story shows that a career in public safety doesn't have to look like what you see on TV — it can mean protecting 65,000 students, managing crisis response programs, and shaping the policies that keep entire school communities safe. What makes Rich's path especially interesting is how naturally it branched into elected office. He didn't set out to become a politician. He showed up to a community services district meeting because he was upset about a softball field being removed, learned that board seats were opening up, and decided to run. That kind of organic entry into government is more common than people think, and Rich's story is proof that local leadership is accessible — you don't need a political science degree or a fancy résumé. For students of color thinking about law enforcement, local government, or public administration, Rich's journey offers a lot to sit with. He's Latino, often perceived as white, and speaks openly about navigating identity in public-facing careers. He talks about wearing a uniform and being treated differently at restaurants, and about having to constantly explain and defend his positions to skeptical constituents. He doesn't sugarcoat the hard parts, but he's clear that the work is worth it — especially when you're doing it for the community you actually live in. His advice is practical and grounded. A bachelor's degree helps, but it's not always required. He got his degree in business after he already started working. He emphasizes that reading, writing, and asking good questions matter more than credentials. And he's honest that elected office is basically a full-time volunteer job — the stipend in his city is $300 a month — so you have to be motivated by something bigger than a paycheck. If you've ever thought about law enforcement, school safety, city council, or any kind of public service, Rich Lozano is the kind of person whose story can show you what that path actually looks like — messy, meaningful, community-driven, and very much open to people who started with just a curiosity and a willingness to show up.