Captain Heriberto Gutierrez began his career in law enforcement at the age of 14 when he joined the Police Explorer program with the City of South Gate Police Department. In 2000 he graduated from the Rio Hondo Police Academy as a City of South Gate police officer. During his career, he served as a patrol officer, gang officer, field training officer, SWAT officer, and narcotics detective.

In 2013 Captain Gutierrez earned both his bachelor of science in Criminal Justice Management and a promotion to patrol sergeant. After his promotion, he supervised various specialized units, including the department’s Crime Impact Team (gang unit), SWAT team, and the Field Training Program.  As a supervisor for the Field Training Program, Gutierrez took a lead role in creating an Active Shooter Response Program for officers and civilian employees alike, as well as implemented a paperless documentation and management system for the program.

Said Gutierrez, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to have served in South Gate for so many years, but I’m excited to bring my knowledge and experiences from that city in southeast Los Angeles County out to the City of Menifee.”