Support Services Commander
Lieutenant Bruce C. Martin

Lieutenant Bruce C. Martin was born and raised in the Midwest (Nebraska) and moved to Monterey, California in 1973. He attended Monterey High School, Monterey Peninsula College, and the University of California, Davis, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

After school, he worked at the Monterey Naval Postgraduate School for approximately 2 years, then attended the Central Coast Counties Police Academy at Gavilan College. Just before graduating he applied with and was hired by the Marina Department of Public Safety.

His assignments with the department have included Patrol and Investigations Divisions, a two year assignment with the Monterey County Narcotics Enforcement Team as a Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force Agent, Fire Administration Lieutenant, and Patrol Watch Commander. He is a certified Drug Abuse Resistance Education Officer, and worked with the local elementary and continuation schools as a DARE Officer for three years.

During his career Lieutenant Martin also received training from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia; Intensive Vietnamese Language and Cultural Training from the Monterey Institute of International Studies; and in 2006 graduated from California State University, Monterey Bay, with a Master in Public Policy Degree.

Lieutenant Martin has received extensive training and developed significant expertise in conducting investigations into activity related to Asian Organized Crime groups. For more than a dozen years he has been asked by the Carthage, Missouri, Police Department to assist in their annual Marian Days festival in which up to 100,000 Vietnamese attend, including gang members from across North America, particularly California. He has assisted local, state and federal officers with crimes committed at the festival site, as well as developing investigative leads for crimes committed in other jurisdictions.

His affiliations include the International Association of Asian Crime Investigators (President from 2004-2006); FBI National Academy Associates; Sons of American Legion; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.

The Marina Police Department’s Support Services Division is under the command of Lieutenant Bruce C. Martin, who has been an officer in Marina since 1982. Detective Sergeant Scott Clegg provides assistance with the daily supervision of each unit.

Under Lieutenant Martin’s command, the Support Services Division supports the critical functions of the Operations Division. It is comprised of several units which are essential to our ability to operate effectively on a daily basis to fulfill our overall mission of establishing and maintaining a safe environment in our community.

Investigation Bureau

The Investigations Bureau for the Marina Police Department is responsible for the investigation of crimes reported to the Marina Police Department, including but not limited to: assault, aggravated assault, robbery, sexual assault, child abuse/endangerment, missing persons and homicides. This bureau also conducts burglary and theft investigations and major crime scene searches. In addition, the bureau assists in preparing cases for filing with the District Attorney's office and its Detectives testify in all areas of criminal prosecution.
Each Detective has his or her own area of expertise, such as Auto Theft, Fraud, Family Violence, Homicide, Sexual Assault, and Child Abuse, however, all Detectives receive cross-training and can function when dealing with crimes from other areas.

• To determine whether sufficient solvability factors and values are present in the case, the commander will look for cases which include the following:
o Reliable witness(es)
o Suspect(s) names
o Suspect described
o Suspect located
o Suspect identified
o Suspect previously seen
o Suspect vehicle described
o Property traceable
o Significant M.O.
o Useable physical evidence
o Limited opportunity for anyone other than suspect to commit the crime
o Offense may be solved with reasonable investigative effort
Citizens are encouraged to provide any information they feel will help with
unsolved crimes at: (831) 884-1210.

Community Services

These personnel proactively employ community-oriented and problem-oriented techniques to address problems selected by the Division Commander. Community Service Specialists provide support to the Marina Police Department through different assignments as follows:

Liaison Officer

Community Liaison Officer Joann Choates serves victims of domestic violence and other crimes by recontacting the victim and witness periodically to determine whether or not their needs are being met through other official as well as non-official agencies. Further, complete explanations to victims and witnesses of the procedures involved in the prosecution of their cases and their role(s) in the procedures is also provided. Finally, informing the victims of domestic violence how to obtain a restraining order and other post-arrest assistance programs are an integral part of the department’s liaison function.

Registrants

California laws require certain people residing within the state to register with the nearest law enforcement jurisdiction; at least on an annual basis. Investigations are initiated into those individuals who are out of compliance, and such investigations can lead to criminal prosecution. Additionally, per Megan’s Law, citizens within any neighborhood are entitled to be informed immediately when a person identified as a “violent predator” is to move nearby.

Community Liaison Officer Joann Choates is available to schedule appointments to register for anyone convicted of the following offenses:

• Arson offenders
• Narcotics offenders
• Criminal gang offenders
• Sexual assault offenders
• Child sexual assault offenders

Contact Officer Choates at: (831) 884-1227.

Animal Services

Officers assigned to provide Animal Services perform tasks related to the enforcement of animal control laws within the City of Marina, California. They have the ability to issue verbal warnings as well as municipal citations, which initiate legal action against violators, when appropriate. The officers also answer calls for service related to animal complaints, patrol the city to safely capture and impound stray animals, pick up injured and unlicensed animals, and arrange for ultimate transportation to the County’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals facility. They are not available to handle calls for service related to wildlife.
The Marina Police Department’s Animal Services Unit is committed to promoting humane treatment and responsible care of pets within our city. Officers are able to provide information regarding local spaying/neutering services. Furthermore, they are available by appointment to provide presentations to school children, neighborhood associations and community groups.
For further information, contact Officer Barbara Patchin at: (831) 884-1210.

Vehicle Abatement

Officers assigned to perform vehicle abatement duties do so under authority provided under the California Vehicle Code and the Marina Municipal Code. They are authorized to investigate complaints involving junk vehicle abatement, and to take appropriate action within the regulated time period. This includes the removal of junk vehicles from public and private property and issuance of citations when appropriate. They also work with the Monterey County Vehicle Abatement Authority for reimbursement of costs associated with removal of junk vehicles.
If you wish to report a junk vehicle in your neighborhood, contact Officer Neola Barnet at: (831) 884-1210.

School Resource Officer

The Marina Police Department’s School Resource Officer is currently unfunded through the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District. At such time as funding is granted, we are ready to resume this important assignment, which provides programs through which students, parents, faculty and law enforcement personnel can become acquainted, and develop mutual respect. School resource programs are part of the Marina Police Departments commitment to community relations, school safety, and the prevention and control of juvenile delinquency and drug abuse.
The School Resource Officer program also includes collaborative activities with a number of other community based groups. One example is with the Leon and Sylvia Panetta Institute’s Monterey County Reads Program in which officers spend a few hours every week at a local elementary school reading age-appropriate books to the students in the classroom. Also, officers are available to provide school presentations to students, faculty or PTA groups throughout the school year on topics such as school safety, drug awareness, use of internet chat rooms, or other topics upon request.
If you wish to schedule an officer for a school visit or to request a presentation, contact Officer Andy Rosas or Lieutenant Bruce C. Martin at: (831) 884-1210.

Drug Enforcement Unit

Upon achievement of full staffing within the Marina Police Department’s Operation’s Division, the Support Services Division will be able to complete its strategic development goals by assigning two full-time officers as a Directed Enforcement Unit.

This team of officers will employ community-oriented and problem-oriented techniques to address problems selected by the Division Commander. They will strive to work in an efficient and effective manner to support both Patrol and Investigations Bureaus. As directed by the commander, the team will work to make arrests, suppress criminal activity, and to further identify and develop investigative response plans at locations of continuous illegal activity, such as:

• Locations identified as distributing illegal drugs
• Party houses
• Hazardous traffic locations
• Other disruptive locations as assigned