Meet Chief DA Investigator Jorge Duran

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting compelling stories from DA employees and what inspired them to pursue a career in public service. Meet Chief DA Investigator Jorge Duran, who has been part of the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation (BOI) since 2017.

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your position and how you got where you are?
I was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, a beautiful island country in the Caribbean. When I was about 5 years old my family fled to the U.S. during a civil war after the country’s president was assassinated. We settled in the Bronx, New York, where I graduated from High School and joined the Marine Corps. I moved to San Diego in 1987 and joined the San Diego Police Department. I worked primarily investigative assignments which included: Narcotics, Homicide, and Gangs. I retired in 2016 as a Captain after 29 and a half years and joined the District Attorney’s Office in 2017. In 2019, I was appointed Chief of the Bureau of Investigation.

The success I have been blessed to achieve in both my personal and professional lives, I owe to my mom and grand ma who, through example, taught me the values which have molded my character: hard work, humility, altruism, empathy, and service to others.

What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you? Why is it important?
Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity for us to reflect on the many contributions and sacrifices made by individuals of Hispanic descent throughout the history of our great country. These contributions span a broad spectrum of disciplines including science, sports, politics, and of course law enforcement. But most importantly, Hispanic Heritage Month allows children to see, read, and hear about achievements by folks like them which will hopefully serve as inspiration to do and be the best they possibly can.