Open police chief positions in the San Gabriel Valley seem to be the latest craze in controversial topics.

In Montebello, the city is in negotiations with Lt. Dan Weast for their department’s top spot. But Mayor Bill Molinari has some objections about Weast’s education – the 26-year veteran of the force has a GED.

Down the road in Baldwin Park – where city officials still can’t agree on whether Police Chief Edward Lopez was fired or retired – Capt. Michael Taylor has taken over as the department’s interim chief.

Here are some exerpts from Taylor’s resume:

SUMMARY
Dynamic, energetic and highly motivated individual with progressive law enforcement experience which has been enhanced
by extensive graduate level education in the area of U.S. Foreign Policy as it relates to Middle Eastern Affairs. Possess in-depth
knowledge of:
The character unique to Western Warfare; its style, strategy, philosophy, development, and the affect a democratic society
has had on its evolution.
The impact that geographic factors have had on military operations in the past, and how they will likely affect military
operations in the future, and a nations national security policies.
The attributes and consequences attributed to U.S. foreign police in terms of National Security decision-making – and the
process by which it is facilitated.
Regional National Security issues dealing primarily with the Middle East. Specifically a comprehensive threat analysis
of each of the countries assigned to the United States Military Central Command’s (USCENTCOM) Area of Responsibility
(AOR). Identifying which country or countries that threat to the security of the United States, U.S. foreign policies with
regard to both domestic and foreign interests and issues, and the region itself.
Terrorism – its history, development and evolution, proliferation, influential factors, and ideology (both religious and
political aspects).
Middle Eastern Studies – The historical information; strategic geographical factors; political structures, institutions and
ideologies; languages, religions and cultural beliefs; a countries info-structure, population, and economy, as well as its
natural resources, military strengths, and its national security policy and concerns.
A good understanding and knowledge of the foundations and the evolution of strategic thought; the principle strategic
theorists, their primary arguments/assertions and their relationship to one another (including current debates over strategy’s
relationship to morality, technology and culture)
A good sense of how strategic thought relates (or does not relate) to “real-world” decisions (i.e. policy, defense program
choices, statecraft)
An understanding of strategic offensive and defensive systems, as well as a clear picture of the evolution of American and
Russian nuclear thought, including views on war-fighting and deterrence
Knowledge of nuclear force modeling, including static and dynamic models; as well as a good, working knowledge of how
arms control interacts with defense program decisions, employment policy, and deterrence; coupled by an understanding
of the continuing relevance of nuclear deterrence, proliferation and security.
International law – the foundations of customary and conventional international laws, as well as treaties that bear upon the
conduct of members of the international community. The fact that the majority of international laws pertain to states, and
the majority of those, to the existence of war among members of the international community. Also the impact international
law has upon the diplomatic, economic, and defense policies of nations, particularly the United States.
EDUCATION & TRAINING
California State University, San Bernardino
M.A., Political Science Emphasis on U.S. Foreign Policy as related to Middle Eastern Affairs
December 2007
Coursework covered numerous topics including socio economic components; regional stability and principal security
interests; cultural/religious aspects; and political factors, including U>S> relations pertaining to the political element of
Arab, Christian and Jewish concerns.
Bachelor of Arts, Political Science With Honors June 2003
Chaffey Community College Alta Loma, CA
A.A., Political Science With Honors 1999
Over 1600 hours of specialized and advanced law enforcement training
P.O.S.T. Certificates Basic through Management
Qualified as Expert on drug violations in Superior and Federal Courts.
Qualified as Expert on Gangs and related crimes in Superior Courts

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
BALDWIN PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT 1981 – Present
Captain 2004 – Present
Operations (2004 – Present)
Manage, direct and oversee all activities related to Patrol Division, Traffic Division, Air Bureau, and the Canine
Program.
Assist in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities.
Develop staffing plans; supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff; and resolve personnel issues.
Study crime and other reports to determine trends and make recommendations for changes in organization and
operating procedures.
Assist the Chief of Police in departmental budget development and administration.
Coordinate police activities with outside agencies and other City departments and divisions.
Lieutenant 2001 – 2004
Operations (2001 – 2004)
Direct and supervise Patrol Watch and Supervisors.
Schedule all sworn and non-sworn personnel.
Manage all shift operations and functions.
Sergeant 1987 – 2001
Operations (1995 – 2001)
Directed and supervised Patrol officers.
Detective Bureau (1993 – 1995)
Managed high profile investigations and all major operations.
Authored and executed several large-scale multi-location and jurisdictional search warrants.
Supervised and coordinated all functions and personnel assigned to Bureau.
Developed and expanded Detectives investigative skills through guidance and instruction.
Acting Lieutenant during last year of assignment.
Support Services Division (1991 – 1993)
Responsible for Departments budget, training and recruitment.
Patrol (1987 – 1991)
Supervised Patrol watches.
Detective, Major Crimes and Gang Investigations (1985 – 1987)
Investigated major assaults, robberies and homicides
Selected to be Departments first full-time gang investigator managed and coordinated all gang related
investigations, intelligence gathering and dissemination, and served as a gang expert liaison to other local, county,
state, and federal agencies.
Detective, Narcotics and Burglary Suppression Team (NABS) (1983 – 1985)
Conducted burglary, narcotics use/solicitation, drug trafficking and vice investigations.
Prepared and served search warrants.
Assigned, on several occasions, to serve as Temporary Bureau Supervisor (Acting Sergeant)
At the request of the Training Bureau, trained new officers in the area of narcotics.
Police Officer (1981 – 1983)
Acting Field Training Officer
SAN JACINTO POLICE DEPARTMENT 1980 – 1981
Patrol Officer
Served as Departments Explorer Post Advisor
Police Investigator
Community Relations Officer
School Resource Officer
On loan to County of Riverside and served as part-time Youth Evaluation Services Counselor, County of Riverside
Probation Department.

ACHIEVEMENTS
Member of three-person team that formulated Mission, Vision, and Core Values Statements, which were adopted as the
guiding theme for conduct and the principles of operation.
Initiated research into feasibility of instituting a citizen volunteer program; prepared a general order outlining the specifics
of the program and its uses, and directed the programs implementation.
Authored and executed several large-scale multi-location gang related search warrants, involving numerous agencies from
all levels of government.
Created and implemented a pro-active enforcement program along the Garvey Strip, notorious for its prostitution,
narcotic/drug users, dealers, and harboring of criminal types. Spanning a two year period, the two-phase program
included multiple agencies and organizations. Initial phase targeted seedy type hotel/motels and the second phase was
aimed towards run down trailer parks. At the direction of the Chief of Police, presented information on the program,
efforts and results to several closed sessions of the City Council.
Instituted Citys current fully computerized false alarm response, warning, and billing tracking system.
Established Gang Activity Prevention (G.A.P.) Program that focused on enforcement, investigative techniques,
intelligence gathering and prosecution procedures. Presented program at the Regional League of Cities Conference in
Phoenix and the National League of Cities Annual Nation Conference in Boston.
One of the original committee members of the G.R.E.A.T. System to be used by all law enforcement agencies to facilitate
the tracking and identification of gang members. Participated in its formation and eventual implementation.
HONORS & AWARDS
Selected as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Officers in Los Angeles County for creation and implementation of G.A.P.
Received a Citation for Meritorious Work from the State Attorney Generals office for involvement in the Campaign
Against Marijuana Planting (C.A.M.P.) Program in Northern California.
Gang Program was recognized by 100th Congress, Second Session.
Letter of Commendation from former San Bernardino County Chief District Attorney, Dennis Kotmyer, for participation
as Investigating Officer on high-profile gang murder case.
Graduated with Honors standing California State University, San Bernardino
Department (Political Science) Honors . . . State, National and International Honors
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Baldwin Park Police Management Association 2001 – Present
Southern California Canine Handlers Association 1996 – 2001
Baldwin Park Police Association 1981 – Present
California Peace Officers Association 1980 – Present
California Association of Police Training Officers 1991 – 1992
Southern California Robbery Investigators Association 1986 – 1988
Southern California Burglary Investigators Association 1984 – 1988
Southern California Gang Investigators Association 1986 – 1988
California Narcotic Officers Association 1984 – 1994
Phi Kappa Phi, National Honor Society (Life Member)
Pi Sigma Alpha, State and National Political Science Honors SocietyMember)
Golden Key Honors Society, National and International Honors Society ( Member)
California State University, San Bernardino Alumni Association ( Member)