Longtime police officer Stephen Bowles has been promoted to Commander overseeing the Seal Beach Police Department’s Support Services Bureau.
Bowles has over 23 years of experience with the Seal Beach Police Department. He began his career in 1994 as a Reserve Police Officer and was hired the following year as a full-time Police Officer. He has held a variety of positions including Field Training Officer, Drug Recognition Expert, Patrol Corporal, Detective, and Patrol Sergeant. He also served as Operations Administrative Sergeant, where he was responsible for Department Training, Internal Affairs, Public Information Officer duties, and overseeing Emergency Services and Volunteer Programs. His most recent position has been serving as the Seal Beach Detention Center Coordinator. During his career, Commander Bowles has received numerous commendations including the Medal of Merit, Lifesaving Award, and is a past MADD Award recipient.
“Commander Bowles is a terrific fit to our Executive Command Staff Team,” said Interim Police Chief Joe Miller. “He has gained a wealth of knowledge in the Police Department’s Support Services Bureau, having been assigned as the Detention Center Coordinator for the past several years. I am extremely confident in his abilities to advance our organization for years to come.”
Bowles grew up in Long Beach before moving to Rossmoor. He attended St. Hedwig School and graduated from St. John Bosco High School. Commander Bowles has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Long Beach. He also holds a Master’s of Science Degree in Counseling from the University of La Verne. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, POST Management School, and the Los Angeles Police Department West Point Leadership Program.
During his tenure as the department’s public information officer, he became a familiar figure on television during the many press conferences in the aftermath of the Salon Meritage shootings.
Commander Bowles states, “I am both humbled and honored to be promoted to Commander at the Seal Beach Police Department. Seal Beach has always been a place I call home and I look forward to serving both the community of Seal Beach and the members of the Seal Beach Police Department as the Support Services Commander.”
For more information please contact Assistant City Manager, Patrick Gallegos at (562) 431-2527 ext.1308.
This article was based on a release by the Seal Beach Police.
