Chief Jackie Gomez-Whiteley has been a law enforcement professional for 25 years. She began her career as a Police Explorer for the Los Alamitos Police Department in October 1978 and later advanced to Police Cadet in July 1984. Chief Gomez-Whiteley attended Loyola Marymount University on a basketball scholarship where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Alcohol and Drug Studies. Upon completion of her undergraduate studies, she entered the police academy at the Golden West College Criminal Justice Training Center. She was hired by the Orange Police Department in September 1986. While at the Orange Police Department, Jackie rose through the ranks and became the department’s first woman motor officer, sergeant and lieutenant. She has worked a number of different assignments and supervised all three divisions: Patrol, Investigative Services and Administrative Services.
In 1989, Chief Gomez-Whiteley was involved in an officer-involved shooting of a kidnap and attempted murder suspect. As a result of her actions, she was awarded the Orange Police Department’s Medal of Valor, as well as honored by both the Rotary Club and American Legion. In 2007, Chief Gomez-Whiteley graduated from the P.O.S.T. Command College, where she published an article in Police and Security News Magazine titled: Dirty Bombs: Calculating the Threat. In 2009, she completed her Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership at Chapman University and also received a certificate in Public and Non-Profit Leadership.
Chief Gomez-Whiteley is an instructor and former Recruit Training Officer at the Golden West College Criminal Justice Training Center and has been on staff since 1994. She was the inaugural Program Coordinator for the Leadership and Ethics Institute and now serves on the steering committee. In October 2010, Chief Gomez-Whiteley was honored as the recipient of the Alumni Pillar of Achievement Award at Golden West College for her commitment to community-oriented policing. Chief Gomez-Whiteley is also an instructor at the POST Management Course at the San Diego Regional Training Center. She actively mentors law enforcement professionals through the California Peace Officers’ Association mentorship program.
Chief Gomez-Whiteley is a volunteer and President of Officers Give Hope, a non-profit organization dedicated to hosting marrow donor drives in the law enforcement community throughout California. To date, Officers Give Hope has been involved in extending the lives of more than 45 people through marrow transplants. In November 2008, Officers Give Hope was the recipient of the prestigious National Service Award presented by the National Marrow Donor Program in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In 2009, Chief Gomez-Whiteley was hired by the Cypress Police Department and took command of the Support Services Division. Her most recent assignment was overseeing the Operations Division. Over the past two years, she has worked closely with department staff in implementing best practices regarding recruitment and hiring, professional standards, and current policies and procedures.
During her childhood, Jackie grew up in the City of Cypress. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve as Chief of Police in the city she once called home and working with the men and women of the Cypress Police Department, City staff, and members of our community.