Command Staff

Captain Chris Cuff is a 23-year law enforcement veteran with extensive experience in leadership and tactical operations. He currently serves as Captain of the Operations Division.

Throughout his career, Captain Cuff has led Patrol Operations, the Investigations Bureau, and specialized units including SWAT, K9, and Crisis Negotiations. He also served as the department's Public Information Officer, managing communication during high-profile incidents.

His previous assignments include Gang Investigations, the LASD Homicide Task Force, Community Policing, and service as a Terrorism Liaison Officer. He has also advised the Long Beach Search & Rescue Team. A recognized expert in gang and violent crime investigations, Captain Cuff is known for steady leadership under pressure. As a long-serving member of SWAT, he has held roles ranging from entry team member to SWAT Commander.

Captain Cuff brings a mission-focused, results-driven approach to the department's executive team, with an ongoing commitment to public safety, officer development, and community trust.

Captain David Brock joined the Gardena Police Department in 2000 and currently oversees the Support Services Division. Over the course of his career, he has served in Patrol, the Traffic Division, and the Administration Bureau. He has also held specialized roles as a Field Training Officer, Range Master, and Use of Force Instructor.

As a lieutenant, Captain Brock oversaw the Investigations Bureau, managing high-profile cases and directing the largest illegal fireworks seizure in California history. Within Administration, he has been responsible for the department's budget, training, and equipment, as well as coordinating large-scale city events, including the Gardena Jazz Festival and the City's annual fireworks show.

Captain Brock holds a Master of Science in Emergency Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Married since 1997, he is the father of three, an avid surfer, and is currently training to become a private pilot.

Lieutenant Alexander Rivera has dedicated 23 years to the Gardena Police Department, serving with integrity, professionalism, and a steadfast commitment to community safety. He has spent the past four years as a lieutenant, including two years as Investigations Commander and two years as Patrol Commander.

Over the course of his career, Lieutenant Rivera has held a variety of specialized assignments, including 12 years on the SWAT Team—where he served as a Team Leader—as well as Gang Detective, Narcotics Detective, and Major Fraud Detective. His breadth of experience has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of both proactive enforcement and complex investigations.

Lieutenant Rivera holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Criminal Justice. A strong advocate for mentorship and leadership development, he pioneered the department's Explorer Program, transforming it into a championship post that has guided more than 20 young men and women into careers in law enforcement.

Guided by the belief that real leadership is rooted in organizational values, Lieutenant Rivera continues to lead by example, fostering teamwork, accountability, and excellence within the department.

Born and raised in the South Bay, Lieutenant Patrick Goodpaster is proud to serve the community that shaped him. A graduate of Narbonne High School, he earned a football scholarship to Colorado State University, where he completed his bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts. He later earned a master's degree in Public Administration from Columbia Southern University.

After college, he fulfilled a lifelong dream with a brief stint in the NFL as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, before returning home to embark on a career in public service.

Lieutenant Goodpaster joined the Gardena Police Department in 2006 as a patrol officer. He has served in several key roles, including District Officer, Explorer Advisor, and member of the Crisis Negotiation Team. He later joined the Detective Bureau, spending seven years investigating major crimes, concluding with Robbery-Homicide. His leadership abilities led to promotions to Sergeant and, most recently, Lieutenant of Administrative Services, where he helps guide the department's operations and community outreach.

Outside of policing, he remains deeply involved in the community as founder and president of the Harbor Area Raiders Youth Football and Cheer Program, which serves more than 300 young athletes annually. Through this program, he fosters teamwork, discipline, and academic success for local youth.

Lieutenant Brian Messina brings more than three decades of law enforcement experience to the Gardena Police Department, where he currently serves as District 2 Commander. His career began in 1994 with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles World Airports Police before joining Gardena PD nearly 25 years ago. He is known for his strong leadership, investigative expertise, and commitment to community engagement.

At Gardena PD, Lieutenant Messina has served in a wide range of operational and supervisory roles. He began as a patrol officer, later serving as a field training officer and detective specializing in robbery and homicide. Promoted to sergeant, he spent over 12 years in leadership assignments, including supervising patrol shifts, overseeing the gang unit, managing multi-agency task forces, and leading detectives in the Investigations Bureau.

Today, as District 2 Commander, he works closely with community members to address crime trends, quality-of-life issues, and neighborhood safety. His collateral assignments have included coordinating the Explorer Program and serving with the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), reflecting his dedication to youth development and disaster preparedness.

Lieutenant Messina holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from California Coast University. He is a graduate of the POST Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute and has completed the California POST Police Management Course.

Lieutenant Luis L. Contreras has proudly served the Gardena Police Department for more than 20 years, with assignments in Patrol, the Special Investigations Division, the Crime Suppression Unit, the Field Training Program, and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, as well as the Peer Support Team. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2020 and later to Lieutenant, where he continues to lead with a focus on accountability and transparency.

Lieutenant Contreras holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration.

Community policing has been a cornerstone of his career. He is dedicated to building relationships with residents, business owners, and city leaders to identify concerns and develop lasting solutions. Whether addressing public safety issues, mentoring new officers, or participating in outreach, Lieutenant Contreras strives to ensure every interaction builds trust between law enforcement and the community. His approach emphasizes visibility, accessibility, and teamwork as essential tools for creating a safer, stronger Gardena.

Lieutenant Jose Avalos began his law enforcement career with the Gardena Police Department in 2004 and has served the community for more than 20 years with integrity and professionalism. He has held assignments in the Motor Program, Field Training, Detective Bureau, District Policing, and the Crisis Negotiation Unit, gaining broad experience in patrol, investigations, and officer development.

Promoted to Sergeant in 2020, he led patrol teams, supervised detectives, and managed the Crisis Negotiation Team, demonstrating strong leadership during both routine operations and critical incidents. In 2025, he was promoted to Lieutenant, initially overseeing the Investigations Unit before assuming his current role as Administrative Bureau Manager.

In this capacity, Lieutenant Avalos oversees Records, Jail Operations, Training, Personnel and Hiring, the FTO Program, AXON/Body-Worn Camera Systems, and Recruitment. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Union Institute & University and is currently pursuing a Master's in Criminal Justice Management at Grand Canyon University, underscoring his commitment to professional growth and continued service to the Gardena community.

Elena Garner is the Administrative Support Services Supervisor at the Gardena Police Department, where she has served since 2016. With over 20 years of experience in public safety support services, she oversees the Records Division, Traffic Services, and Front Desk operations.

In her role, Elena manages a broad range of critical functions, including public records requests, subpoenas, parking permits, and DOJ/FBI compliance. She is dedicated to ensuring accuracy, accountability, and high-quality service for both the department and the community.

Elena is a graduate of the Civilian Leadership Institute, a POST-Certified Records Supervisor, and a DOJ-Certified Agency CLETS Coordinator. She has also served as a board member of the California Law Enforcement Association of Records Supervisors.