Alex Avila

Investigator
Alex Avila is a seasoned executive with 30 years of distinguished law enforcement service with the Long Beach Police Department, culminating in his appointment as Deputy Chief in 2018. In this role, he led the Department’s Support Bureau, overseeing the Jail Division, Port Police Division, Security Services Division, and Training Division.

Throughout his policing career, Alex served in a variety of leadership and operational roles, including Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Robbery Detective, Administrative Sergeant of the Investigations Bureau, Family Services Lieutenant, Port Police Commander, Communications Center Commander, Training Division Commander, and Security Services Division Commander. Notably, he served in the Gang Enforcement Section as a Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant, gaining critical expertise in complex investigations and high-risk operations.

Following his retirement from the Long Beach Police Department in 2020, Alex transitioned into the corporate sector, where he applied his extensive experience to managing organizational risk, workplace safety, physical security, and internal investigations. He has worked in both public and private sector environments conducting comprehensive workplace investigations, including the review of Internal Affairs investigations and Letters of Transmittal. He regularly provided disciplinary and organizational recommendations based on factual findings and investigative outcomes. Alex has evaluated misconduct complaints to determine whether they warranted formal investigation or could be appropriately resolved at intake, and he has delivered factual findings and disciplinary recommendations grounded in policy compliance.
Alex’s professional strengths include building strategic relationships across diverse stakeholder groups, ranging from internal departments to external law enforcement partners and community organizations. He is recognized for his ability to lead with integrity, conduct fair and thorough investigations, and drive organizational accountability.

Alex holds an Associate of Arts in Administration of Justice from Long Beach City College, a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies, and a Master of Science in Emergency Services Administration from California State University, Long Beach. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and the University of Southern California’s Delinquency Control Institute and Safe Communities Institute Executive Leadership Program.