What happens to all the evidence our officers collect and belonging that are left behind on campus? They are under the care of our Property Division, Lead Property Officer Eric Gadal and Property Officer Albert Valenzuela.
Personnel
As a modern police department, UCLA PD prides itself on using the latest technology to combat crime. Those innovations are implemented by the IT Division comprised of Information Systems Manager Gabriel Lomas and Security Video and Communications Specialist Monica Jeong.
John Thomas, UCLA’s interim chief of police since December 2022, has been selected from an experienced pool of candidates to lead the university’s police department.
As one of UCLA Police Department’s newest members, Melody Mendoza is fulfilling a lifelong dream in becoming a police officer.
Public Safety Aides will be dispatched when an issue does not rise to a level requiring a police officer.
When an urgent situation happens on campus, Officer Shamir Gonzalez is often the first to arrive. That’s because as a motor officer, riding a motorcycle allows him to cut through campus and get where he needs to quickly.
As the University Apartments North lead officer, Jonathan Rivenburg is all too familiar with the buildings he patrols. Having lived at Rieber Hall as an undergraduate, he now protects the same campus he studied at as a UCLA student.
Every member of the UCLA Police Department takes a different path to working in law enforcement. Just ask Lindsay Schirner, who went from teaching fifth grade to becoming our newest detective in less than four years.
With approximately 3,400 students involved in Greek life at UCLA, keeping them safe is a major priority for our department. As Fraternity/Sorority Lead Officer, Larissa Amezcua not only educates members of the Greek community about safety, but also builds relationships that go far beyond her law enforcement duties.
Whether at work or at home, Officer Tiffanie Hand's best friend is always by her side. Since 2016 her trusted partner has been seven-year-old Kylo, who was the UCLA Police Department's first K-9 officer in 20 years.
