Captain Maria Villegas began her career in law enforcement in 1998 with the Los Angeles Police Department. She has been with the City of Downey Police Department since 2000.  Maria has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.

In 2003, Maria was selected as a Field Training Officer.  In 2004 she was promoted to the rank of Corporal and was transferred to the Detective Bureau.  While in the Detective Bureau she worked various assignments including: Narcotics, Juvenile, Forgery, the Special Victims Unit, and Robbery/Homicide. 

In 2011, she was promoted to the rank of Sergeant where she was assigned to the Field Operations Division.  As a Sergeant she worked as a Watch Sergeant, Records Bureau Supervisor; and in 2018 she was selected as a Detective Bureau Sergeant, supervising the crimes against persons unit.

Over the course of her career, Maria has worked a variety of collateral assignments including: School Resource Officer, Neighborhood Preservation, and with the Explorer Program; which she supervised for over 15 years.

Maria was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2021 and as of October of 2024 she was promoted to Captain assigned to the detective division.

Ruth Valenzuela 

Lieutenant
Field Operations Division

Ruth began her career with the City of Downey in 2007 as a Sworn Police Officer following her graduation from the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy. She has since held a variety of specialized assignments, including Explorer Advisor, School Resource Officer, Field Training Officer, Special Response Team, Narcotics, Crisis Negotiations, and the Special Enforcement Team. Her leadership led to her promotion to the rank of Sergeant in July 2022 and subsequently to the rank of Lieutenant in August 2025.

Ruth earned a Master of Science degree in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership from the University of San Diego, further strengthening her academic and professional foundation in organizational leadership and modern policing practices.

In addition to her operational responsibilities, Ruth serves as the handler for Facility Dog Howdy, acquired through the generosity of Canine Companions International®. The Facility Dog Program provides meaningful support to victims and witnesses during interviews and court proceedings, assists individuals coping with grief and loss, mitigates stress experienced by community members and department personnel following traumatic incidents, and fosters positive engagement during community events. This initiative represents a progressive and compassionate complement to the Department’s mission of enhancing the quality of life in the City of Downey.

Ruth is presently assigned to the Field Operations Division.

Vince Rosario

Lieutenant
Field Operations Division

Vince began his career at the Downey Police Department in August, 2002, when he was hired as a Police Officer Recruit.  He attended the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy and graduated in March, 2003. 

Vince was assigned to Field Operations from 2003-2009.  During this time, he was selected as a Field Training Officer and worked with the youth as a School Resource Officer and Police Explorer Advisor.  He was also a member of the Department’s Special Response Team.  In 2008, Vince was promoted to the rank of Corporal.

In October, 2009, Vince achieved his goal of becoming an Investigator for the Special Enforcement Team.  There, he worked as a Department recruiter/background investigator and also collaborated with other city departments to regulate local businesses and alcohol establishments within the City. 

In March, 2013, Vince was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  He was re-assigned to patrol and supervised several collateral assignments, including: Jail Operations, the Special Response Team, and Field Training Program.  In 2014, Vince was assigned to supervise the Professional Standards/Training Unit.  During that assignment, he was responsible for internal affairs investigations and officer involved shootings.  He also oversaw the training unit and assisted in the development of Department’s Volunteer and Park Ranger programs.

In May 2021, Vince was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and served as a patrol Watch Commander.  While in Patrol, he oversaw scheduling for field operations, the Homeless Outreach program, Park Rangers, and Jail Operations.  In January 2022, Vince was reassigned to the Administrative Division

Vince grew up nearby in Santa Fe Springs and attended schools there.  Prior to joining Downey PD, he worked as a Public Safety Officer for the City of Santa Fe Springs.  He graduated from California State University, Los Angeles in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science.  In 2005, he returned to CSULA and obtained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA).  Vince has also completed the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute. 

Christopher Kurtz

Lieutenant
Field Operations Division

Chris came to us as a lateral police officer from the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department; however, Chris started his law enforcement career here at the Downey Police Department when he was 13 years old as a Police Explorer.  Chris went on to become a Police Aide before being hired by the Sheriff’s Department. 

Kurtz has worked a variety of assignments including Accident Investigator, Gangs, Narcotics, K9 handler and has been a field training officer and Corporal.  Chris has received several recognitions such as the medal of valor award in 2006 for putting himself in peril when a fellow officer was shot.  Chris also received the lifetime achievement award from CHP for recovering stolen vehicles.  It is worth mentioning that Chris was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his service and sacrifice.  Because of his strong work ethic and commitment to our community Chris was promoted to Sergeant in May of 2021 and in October 2024 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and is currently a Watch Commander assigned to the patrol division. 

Paul Edwards 

Lieutenant
Administration Division

Paul was born in Downey and lived in Downey until he was two years old.  Paul's family moved out of town, but his ties to the City remained strong as his mother was a Records Clerk for the Police Department, and his step-father was a retired Police Officer with the Police Department. 

In 2005, Paul was hired as a Police Officer Recruit and went on to graduate from the Rio Hondo Police Academy. Among his collateral assignments are Special Response Team (SRT), Homeless Encampment Team, and Advisor for the Explorer Program.  Paul especially enjoys his role as an advisor since it gives him the chance to teach and mentor the Explorers. Paul was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in October 2024 and is currently assigned to the administrative division. 

Dustin Doyle 

Lieutenant
Field Operations Division

Dustin began his career at the Downey Police Department in July 2001, when he was hired as a Police Officer Recruit.  He attended the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy and graduated in February of 2002.

Dustin was assigned to Field Operations from 2002-2010.  During this time, he was selected as a Field Training Officer, a School Resource Officer, and a Firearms Instructor. In 2010, Dustin was promoted to the rank of Corporal. A few months later, He was re-assigned to the Administration Division where he worked as a Department recruiter and background investigator. In this assignment, he also coordinated public relations events and worked with other City departments to regulate local businesses and alcohol establishments within the City.

In December of 2013, Dustin was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.  He was re-assigned to patrol and supervised several collateral assignments, including: The Special Response Team, Field Training Officer Program, Homeless Outreach Team and Peer Support Team. In 2020, Dustin was re-assigned to the Detective Bureau, where he supervised the Property Crimes Unit. After a year, he rotated assignments within the Detective Bureau and oversaw the Crimes Against Persons Unit.

In July 2023, Dustin was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and serves as a patrol Watch Commander.  He currently oversees the Homeless Outreach Program, Mental Evaluation Team, and Traffic Unit.  

Dustin has a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.

Richard Garcia