MENIFEE POLICE CHIEF
Edward Varso
Hello neighbors,
It is an absolute honor to serve as the second Chief of Police for the City of Menifee. As a person who has devoted most of his life to the law enforcement profession, words do not properly express the high level of excitement and dedication that I bring to protecting this fantastic community. For me, this is more than just a place to work, it is personal. I live in Menifee with my family, we are on the same streets, and frequent the same parks and shopping centers. It is with that perspective in mind that I will be policing Menifee not just as a Chief of Police, but as your neighbor. All of us, and our families, deserve to feel safe. My commitment to you is that the Menifee Police Department will always be a professional police department committed to protecting this community.
The Menifee Police Department was created to be a community-focused police department. This means that in addition to our traditional enforcement responsibilities, we will strive to find new ways to partner with the community, to be present at community events, and develop long-term strategies to make Menifee an even safer community. We will proactively address crime in our community, find ways to help those in need, and always uphold our oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America.
Finally, the level of professionalism and commitment displayed by every member of the police department is phenomenal. We are all here as a police department and as a community to work together to ensure that Menifee remains a safe community for all.
Thank you for all the support today and in the years to come.
MENIFEE POLICE CAPTAIN
CHRISTOPHER M. KARRER
ckarrer@menifeepolice.org
Menifee Police Department Captain Christopher M. Karrer is thrilled for the newest chapter in his law enforcement career. The way he sees it, opportunities like this don’t come around every day.
“In 50 years from now, people will get to look back on what we started here,” said Captain Karrer. “We get to be creative, and we want everybody to have input into our direction. When you’re talking about coming in and starting a new police department, it’s all about providing service and connecting with your residents and business owners.”
Karrer began his public service career in 1994 when he joined the United States Marine Corps. He transitioned into law enforcement when he joined the Hemet Police Department in January 2000. From September 2001 until 2007, Karrer worked patrol duty for the Los Alamitos Police Department. He then entered the Detective Bureau in Los Alamitos, handling cases ranging from property to personal crimes – and even oversaw a homicide case featured in an online video production of “America’s Most Wanted.”
At Los Alamitos, Karrer was promoted to Corporal in 2012, Sergeant in 2013 and Captain in 2017 – where he led Department Operations and Support Services for the department. He developed not only his skill set but deep relationships with people all across the tight-knit, 4.5-mile Orange County community.
“This is just a rare opportunity for all of us,” said Karrer. “For me, this was about giving a community the amount and quality of service I was used to providing in Los Alamitos. At the end of the day, it’s all about providing that quality of life for the people who live, work and shop here. I want them to know that we’re here for them every single day.”
MENIFEE POLICE CAPTAIN
DAVID A. GUTIERREZ
dgutierrez@menifeepolice.org
Menifee Police Department Captain David A. Gutierrez is no stranger to law enforcement “startups” during his career.
Captain Gutierrez began his law enforcement career in 2002 with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, serving as a jail deputy, gang intelligence deputy and patrol deputy. Then, in November 2006, he was named an inaugural police officer with the newly-formed Citrus Heights Police Department.
Following work as a field training officer and gang and narcotics detective, Gutierrez was promoted to Citrus Heights Police Department Sergeant in 2013. In this role, he served as a supervisor for patrol, traffic and defensive tactics before being promoted to Lieutenant in 2015. As Lieutenant, Gutierrez served as a patrol watch commander, special operations lieutenant, professional standards and training lieutenant and the department’s public information officer.
“That was amazing to be a part of it, I was able to see all of the successes along with the challenges,” said Gutierrez. “Most cops never get the opportunity to be part of a start-up even once, let alone twice. So when this opportunity came up, I immediately knew I wanted to be part of it. Citrus Heights Police Department’s success was built on customer service and community engagement. Upon meeting Chief Walsh, it was clear to me his vision and passion were rooted in customer service and community engagement as well.”
During his law enforcement career, Gutierrez has also led many specialty units, including traffic, problem-oriented policing, code enforcement, animal services, crime scene investigation and property, and evidence. At the Menifee Police Department, Gutierrez looks forward to utilizing his diverse skillset and background to build strong relationships and deliver the highest quality of law enforcement services.
“Our customer service model will be exceptional, so the community knows we’ll always be there for them, and a phone call to us will never be a bother,” said Gutierrez. “It’s really exciting. We have an opportunity to really build strong and lasting relationships here, externally and internally.”
MENIFEE POLICE LIEUTENANT
DENISE KEITH
dkeith@menifeepolice.org
Lieutenant Denise Keith began her law enforcement career in Texas in 2005 and brings over 14 years’ experience to the Menifee Police Department, including a year and half with the Denton County Sheriff’s Department and over 12 years with the Addison Police Department. She was promoted to Lieutenant in 2015 and supervised both the Patrol and Criminal Investigations Divisions. Prior to that, she served as sergeant for four years, spending time supervising patrol shifts, criminal investigations, and deployment.
Lieutenant Keith earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of North Texas. She also graduated from the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration (ILEA) – School of Executive Leadership and the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration (ILEA) – School of Police Supervision. “I’m honored to bring my experience to the Menifee Police Department and to serve the community alongside the men and women who will be coming on board,” said Keith.
Lieutenant Keith grew up on the west coast and decided to relocate to California to be closer to family. She enjoys long walks on the ocean floor and you can usually find her scuba diving or with her family in her spare time.
MENIFEE POLICE LIEUTENANT
HERIBERTO GUTIERREZ
hgutierrez@menifeepolice.org
Lieutenant 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 Lieutenant 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.”
MENIFEE POLICE LIEUTENANT
ABIGAIL VALLE
avalle@menifeepolice.org
Lieutenant Abigail Valle comes to Menifee with a 16 year history in law enforcement with the Huntington Park Police Department. Her experience ranges from gang task force operations, gang suppression task force, undercover narcotic take-downs, patrol, investigations bureau, field training officer, public information officer, youth counselor and at-risk youth programming, crisis negotiation team, special weapons and tactics, mental health evaluations team, and was responsible for new recruits and hiring new personnel.
Lieutenant Valle is a graduate of the prestigious Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and holds a Masters of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership from Woodbury University, and a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Communications, with an emphasis in public relations, and a Minor Degree in English from California State University Fullerton. She has been married for 11 years to a police officer, and together they have three children.
“We are excited to have Lieutenant Valle join the Police Department team and family,” said Chief Walsh. “Valle has hit the ground running and has already proven to be a critical part of the team making strides in assisting the team with gearing up for key programs that the department will roll out when we start in July.”
MENIFEE POLICE SERGEANT
RAUL PEREZ
rperez@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE SERGEANT
CHRISTINA REVELES
creveles@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE SERGEANT
CHRIS CARRINO
ccarrino@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE SERGEANT
MATT BLOCH
mbloch@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE SERGEANT
JASON ADAMS
jadams@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE SERGEANT
DANIEL HIGGINS
dhiggines@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE SERGEANT
PAUL BARBIERI
pbarbieri@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE SERGEANT
COREY COX
ccox@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE SERGEANT
Tony Urich
turich@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE SERGEANT
Nick Martin
nmartin@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE SERGEANT
Dan Beare
dbeare@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE RECORD SUPERVISOR
Devon Hawkins
dhawkins@menifeepolice.org
MENIFEE POLICE CODE ENFORCEMENT SUPERVISOR
Terrence Wiggins
twiggins@menifeepolice.org
