A former deputy chief of the Redlands Police Department was the highest-earning city employee in California in 2025, receiving nearly $1.2 million in wages despite not having worked during that year. Public payroll data from the State Controller’s Office identifies the employee as Travis Martinez.
Martinez’s total compensation package reached approximately $1.26 million, including $81,804 in regular pay, $890,467 in other pay, and $231,099 in lump-sum compensation before his retirement in April 2025. The city also contributed $55,864 toward his retirement and health benefits. This payout surpassed that of other municipal employees across the state, including a Los Angeles Fire Department battalion chief who earned over $921,000 and a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power supervisor with earnings exceeding $779,000.
The substantial payment to Martinez followed an agreement that concluded a protracted dispute with the city. He had been on paid administrative leave for approximately 18 months prior to his retirement. As part of a settlement, Martinez agreed to retire and withdraw a legal claim against the city in exchange for a payment reportedly around $872,000.
Martinez filed his claim in 2023, alleging that city officials retaliated against him after he reported alleged misconduct within the department. His allegations included concerns about attempts to conceal evidence related to a deadly Metrolink train crash and claims of retaliation after reporting sexual misconduct involving then-Deputy Chief Mike Reiss to the FBI, as he believed the matter was not being adequately addressed internally. Martinez also claimed city leaders pressured him to ignore misconduct and remain silent.
According to sources, Martinez was placed on paid leave in October 2023 and did not return to active duty before his retirement. The allegations against Reiss have led to multiple settlements for the city. Reiss retired in March 2023 after accusations of grooming, sexual harassment, and preying on department employees. Former Police Chief Chris Catren also retired days earlier, citing a work-related injury and denying any connection to the controversy.
Over the past three years, Redlands has approved more than $3.3 million in settlements to resolve lawsuits related to sexual harassment allegations tied to Reiss. The most recent settlement, approved in June, was for $475,000 with former forensic specialist Geneva Holzer, who agreed to resign and dismiss her lawsuit as part of the agreement.
In his legal claim, Martinez highlighted his 29-year career with the department, stating he developed policing initiatives that were adopted nationwide. He also alleged he was consistently passed over for promotions because he refused to overlook misconduct within the department.