Rodolfo Santos Azurin Jr. (born April 24, 1967) is a former police officer who formerly served as the chief of the Philippine National Police during the term of President Bongbong Marcos[1] He officially succeeded acting chief Vicente Danao on August 1, 2022, becoming the 28th chief of police. Serving for only 9 months until his retirement on April 24, 2023.
He was the former commander of the Northern Luzon Police Area as well as the PNP Northern Luzon. Azurin also once served as Ilocos region police chief. During his tenure as regional director, he introduced "Kasimbayanan", a portmanteau of the words "Kapulisan, Simbahan, at Pamayanan" (Police force, church, and community) which is a social program to lessen crime and insurgency.[3][4] He also held top positions in Camp Crame such as the director of the Directorate for Comptrollership (DC) and the Directorate for Information and Communication Technology Management (DICTM). Prior to becoming the chief of police, Azurin served as the commander of the Northern Luzon Police Area.[5]
He is expected to retire in April 2023 with 9 months in tenure as chief of police.[7] However, he, alongside the Command Group, submitted his courtesy resignation to the Department of the Interior and Local Government on January 5, 2023, after Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. appealed to all high-ranking Philippine National Police officials as there were senior officials involved in illegal drugs trade.[8] However, he keeps the position until it is accepted by his superiors.[9]