Board Members

President

Chief Darren Arakawa, South Gate P.D. 

Darren Arakawa began his career in 1991 as a Reserve Police Officer and became a full sworn officer in 1992. He has served in every division of the police department and worked his way up in the organization until July of 2021 when he was appointed as the 16th Police Chief of the South Gate Police Department.

He is a graduate of the Police Executive Research Forum-Senior Management Institute for Police at Boston University, California Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College, Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and the Delinquency Control Institute at the University of Southern California. He possesses an Associates of Arts and Associate of Science Degree from Rio Hondo College, a Bachelor Degree and Master of Science Degree from California State University, Long Beach. He has completed post-graduate work at the University of La Verne in Public Administration. Darren is an advocate of 21st Century policing principles and is heavily involved in advocacy for sound law enforcement practices and effective policing legislation.

 


Vice President

Chief Manny Cid, Glendale P.D.

Chief Cid was appointed as Glendale’s 20th Police Chief in January of 2023.

As Glendale’s Police Chief and a law enforcement leader, Chief Cid brings a collaborative leadership style to leading an organization, a proactive approach to community-centric policing, an unwavering commitment to professionalism, and a focus on fostering and preserving partnerships.

Chief Cid formerly served the Culver City community for nearly 20 years as a member of their Police Department, and as the Department’s Chief of Police from 2020-2022. Throughout his two-decade law enforcement career, Manny has had the opportunity to work a vast array of assignments, while promoting up the ranks of two full-service police departments. Manny has also had the opportunity to work on multiple local, state, and federal taskforces, impacting public safety on a regional level. He holds law enforcement executive leadership positions at the local, county, and state levels, as well as Chair of the Executive Board for the LA IMPACT Taskforce.  In addition, Chief Cid also serves as a Board Member for the Glendale Memorial Hospital.

Manny possesses his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Whittier College, as well as his Master’s degree in Public Administration and Organizational Leadership from National University. In addition to his formal education, Manny is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, the West Point Leadership Program, California’s POST Executive Development Course, and the FBI’s National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.


chief-michael-ellis

2nd Vice President

Chief Michael Ellis, Pomona P.D.

Chief Michael Ellis is a 26-year veteran of the Pomona Police Department and the 22nd Chief of Police.  He started his law enforcement career with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department in 1997, later joining the Pomona Police Department in 1998.  Chief Ellis rose through the ranks of police officer, corporal, sergeant, and lieutenant. From January 2011 until October 2019, Michael served as a Captain and held command assignments leading the Investigative Services Division and the Operations Division.

In 2019, he was promoted to Deputy Chief, helping oversee the daily operations of the Police Department.  On April 26, 2020, Chief Ellis was appointed Chief of Police.

Chief Ellis holds a Master’s Degree from the University of San Diego in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership and is a graduate of the Delinquency Control Institute at the University of Southern California.  He is also a graduate of POST Class 56 of California POST’s Law Enforcement Command College. Chief Ellis has implemented effective proactive crime-fighting strategies, has institutionalized community partnerships and engagement programs, is focused on the ongoing modernization of law enforcement.

Chief Ellis is also a member of Kiwanis International and has served on the Board of Directors for the YMCA. He strives to promote a professionalism  and transparency focused on reducing crime and disorder, building the community, and improving the quality of life for everyone.


Past President

Chief Gene Harris, Pasadena P.D.

Gene Harris is a Southern California native and former United States Marine. During his stint in the Marine Corps he served as an airborne, forward observer for naval gunfire and close air support before leaving to pursue his career in law enforcement. Gene is a 33-year law enforcement veteran who now serves as Police Chief of the Pasadena Police.

He is a published author and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management, and a Master’s Degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership. He is also a graduate of the POST Master Instructor Development Program, the West Point Leadership Program, POST Command College, and the FBI National Academy. His favorite of his achievements is publishing of his book, “The Zero Stress Zone, A Layman’s Guide to Stress Management. His personal ethos is “enthusiasm is the force that creates momentum,” and he plans to live by, and exemplify that code in every endeavor.

In his current assignment, he places community engagement at the top of his priority list and ensures the department interacts with community members at every level. He is committed to the tenets of developing community partnerships and believes it crucial in any public, or private community endeavors. Gene currently sits on the Board of  the California Police Chiefs Association, and has sat on the boards of the San Gabriel Valley Asian Youth Center and the West San Gabriel Valley YMCA, and routinely gives presentations related to stress management to law enforcement, and other government and private entities.