Captain Jackie Gomez-Whiteley

Jackie Gomez-Whiteley has been a law enforcement professional for over 22 years. She began her career as a Police Explorer for the Los Alamitos Police Department in October 1978 and later advanced to Police Cadet on July 2, 1984. Jackie 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 on September 16, 1986. While at the Orange Police Department, Jackie rose through the ranks and became the department’s first woman motor officer, as well as sergeant and lieutenant. She has worked a number of different assignments and supervised all three divisions: Patrol, Investigative Services, and Administrative Services.

In 1989, Jackie 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, Jackie graduated from the P.O.S.T. Command College, where she recently published an article in Police and Security News Magazine titled: Dirty Bombs: Calculating the Threat. She just completed her Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership at Chapman University, and also received a certificate in Public and Non-Profit Leadership.

Jackie is an instructor and Recruit Training Officer at the Golden West College Criminal Justice Training Center and has been on staff since 1994. She was recently selected as the Program Coordinator for the Leadership and Ethics Institute there as well. Jackie 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 the State of California. This past November, Officers Give Hope was the recipient of the National Service Award presented by the National Marrow Donor Program in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

During her childhood, Jackie grew up in the City of Cypress. She is looking forward to “coming back home” and working with the men and women of the Cypress Police Department, City staff, and members of our community.