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# Longtime cop leaves force
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/longtime-cop-leaves-force/
- Published: 2004-05-01T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T04:16:18.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Crime, Santa Monica, #archive-import

Family, friends, co-workers and several Santa Monica city officials turned out on April 28 at the Doubletree Hotel to celebrate Lt. George Centeno’s 27 years with the Santa Monica Police Department.

Lt. Centeno had many experiences in the department. In 1972 he became a Cadet. After being discharged from the United States Air Force in 1976, he later became a police officer in 1977\. He was an original member of the Crime Impact Team, a background investigator, sergeant of the Police Activities League, Watch Commander, and graduate of the FBI Academy.

At the luncheon, Pasadena Police Chief Barney Melekian, a former member of the Santa Monica Police Department said, “George cares about what he does. He cares about people. He always looked at the human side of what we deal with.”

Lt. Centeno also is an accomplished artist, singer, songwriter and athlete. He is leaving the SMPD to take a new job with a company owned by a former SMPD officer.

For more on the story, check out the Santa Monica Star.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 1, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/050104.pdf?ref=smdp.com)