CAPTAIN MARIO RAMIREZ started working for the Morgan Hill Police Department in 2002, working his way up the ranks from police cadet to captain. He has a master’s degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership from the University of San Diego and a California Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) Advanced and Supervisory Certificate. Additionally, he is a certified court expert and served as the department’s defensive tactics and emergency vehicle operations instructor.

Capt. Ramirez helped lead the city through three historical events in 2020. With a captain vacancy, Capt. Ramirez, a sergeant at the time, filled the role, becoming the department’s disease infectious control officer and ensuring no instances of COVID-19 occurred in the department. He also served many days as the city’s liaison officer to the fire department during California’s largest wildland fires in history—providing vital information to assist in the safe evacuations of hundreds of people—and successfully led several operations during civil unrest. His actions in these roles helped to minimize injuries, preserve property, and ensure the overall safety of first responders and community members.

Capt. Ramirez is also leading the department’s efforts to implement the California Racial Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) to eliminate racial and identity profiling and understand diversity in law enforcement through training, education, and outreach. Additionally, he implemented a Mobile Crisis Response Team that partners officers with licensed clinicians to better respond to incidents involving members of the community who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

“During these tumultuous and unprecedented times, I remain steadfast in my goals to better the community and the profession and leave lasting change.”