Mike Martinez, Deputy Chief
Mike Martinez is a lifelong resident of the Inland Empire, born and raised in San Bernardino, California. He has proudly served with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department since 1997 and attended the 128th session of the Basic Academy. From the beginning of his career, his service has been grounded in a commitment to community, leadership, and professional excellence.
Mike began his law enforcement career as a deputy sheriff assigned to the West Valley Detention Center and Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center before transitioning to patrol at Fontana Station. He was subsequently assigned to the Specialized Investigations Division’s Valley Gang Team. As a detective, Mike joined the Special Enforcement Division, where he was selected to serve on the FBI’s San Bernardino Safe Streets Gang Task Force and as a member of the Sheriff’s Department S.W.A.T. team.
Promoted to Sergeant, Mike served at Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center and later joined the Corrections Standards and Operations Division (CSOD), where he supervised the Centralized Classification Unit. He was subsequently assigned to the Gangs and Narcotics Division, where he oversaw narcotics teams, the Valley Gang Team, and the multi-agency Gang Intelligence Team, a regional task force consisting of personnel from local, state, and federal agencies.
Throughout his career, Mike has developed extensive expertise in the investigation and enforcement of criminal street gang activity. He is recognized throughout the law enforcement community as a leading expert in criminal street gangs. Since 2011, he has served as an Advisory Board Member of the California Gang Task Force.
As a Lieutenant, Mike served at both the West Valley Detention Center and Central Detention Center, contributing to the leadership and operational management of two major custody facilities. Following his promotion to Captain, he commanded the Central Detention Center and later the West Valley Detention Center.
In May 2026, Sheriff Shannon D. Dicus promoted Mike to Deputy Chief. He currently serves as the Deputy Chief over the Detention and Corrections Bureau, where he oversees bureau operations and continues to advance the mission of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department while supporting the communities it serves.
