Santiago City was declared as an Independent Component or Chartered City on online essay May 5, 1994 by virtue of  Republic Act No. 7720. It is situated at the Southern part  of its mother province – Isabela.

Santiago City otherwise known as the “Queen City of the North” is the only independent component city in Region 2. It is located at the southern portion of Isabela Province and the gateway to Cagayan Valley. It is surrounded by the provinces of Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Quirino and Isabela and bounded by the municipalities of Ramon on the Northwest, Cordon on the West, Diffun and Saguday on the South and Echague and San Isidro on the East.

The city has a total land area of 27,406 hectares (274.06 square kilometers). It comprises 37 barangays with a population of 141,908 as of February 2019 census.

The yearly Cityhood Anniversary is celebrated every May 1 to May 5. It celebrates the unity of the ethno-linguistic groups that have merged in the city to make it the melting pot of culture in Region 2 that contributed to the city’s progress and development.

Santiago City Police Station was upgraded to Santiago City Police Office pursuant to PNP NHQ General Orders Number DPL 0201 dated March 15, 2002.

The office is composed of two (2) Police Stations, a Traffic Group (TG), a Mobile Patrol Group and City Mobile Force Company (CMFC).