Special Operations Bureau

Captain Luis Martinez

As the Special Operations Bureau Commander, Captain Martinez is responsible for the Detectives Unit, Special Victims Unit, the Crime Impact Team, the Special Enforcement Unit, the Emergency Response Team, Crisis Negotiation Team, UAV / Drone Program, Forensics Unit, and the Department’s “Type 1” Jail facility. Captain Martinez is also responsible for our various Task Forces, and the Traffic Division, which includes Motors, Accident Investigations, Commercial Enforcement, Parking Enforcement, Animal Services and Parking Enforcement.

Biography

Luis was born in El Salvador and raised in Los Angeles, graduating from Los Angeles High School in 1998. He has been a member of the Culver City Police Department since 2003. Luis attended and graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Academy, Class #338. During his time as a Police Officer, Luis worked as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Crime Impact Team Detective, Personnel & Training Detective and as an Investigator with the LA IMPACT Narcotics Task Force.

In 2014, Luis was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. As a Sergeant, he worked as a Patrol supervisor. In 2015, he was assigned to the LA IMPACT Narcotics Task Force and oversaw Groups 1 and 25. In 2017, he was selected to be the inaugural Sergeant of the Special Enforcement Team (SET). In 2019, he was selected to oversee the Personnel & Training Section.

Luis was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in September of 2019. As a Lieutenant, Luis served as a Patrol Watch Commander, Traffic Section Lieutenant and in 2021, oversaw the Professional Standards Unit. In this capacity, Luis was responsible for conducting internal administrative investigations of alleged employee misconduct. He was also responsible for the management of Department policy. In January 2023, Luis was promoted to the rank of Captain and oversaw the Patrol Bureau. In December 2023, he assumed command of the Special Operations Bureau.

Luis possesses a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's degree in Public Administration from National University. In 2023, he also earned a Master’s from the University of San Diego in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership. He has attended numerous professional development programs including the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute Class #424, the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Point Leadership Program, the California Police Chiefs’ Executive Leadership Institute, and is a graduate of the POST California Command College Class #70. In June of 2024, Captain Martinez graduated from the 290th session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Luis has been the recipient of several department awards, including the Supervisor of the Year Award, Medal of Valor and the “David Shaby” Career Achievement Award. Luis was a sixteen-year member of our Baker to Vegas Team and has served as Team Captain for over 10 years. In his spare time, Captain Martinez enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, USC Football and the San Francisco 49ers.