(535) East Los Angeles

​The East Los Angeles Area office first established its explorer program in 1990. Since then, the program has helped its participants become better citizens and individuals. Many of them have become California Highway Patrol Officers and others have gone on to have great careers in and out of law enforcement.

Explorers learn about the field of law enforcement and the duties of a CHP officer through training, observation and involvement. This includes studying laws and understanding procedures, training in tactics and arrest techniques, physical training, assist officers and volunteering at community events, among other activities.

Explorers not only learn the technical aspects of being an officer, but the morals, ethics and values required to become an officer and better individuals. Explorers learn about teamwork and share responsibility as well as individual accountability. Explorers also gain an understanding of the CHP's Professional Values and the seven points of the CHP star.

If you are interested in joining the California Highway Patrol's East Los Angeles Explorer Post, please contact an explorer advisor at (323) 980-4600 or visit the office during business hours located at 1601 Corporate Center Drive, Monterey Park, CA 91754.

COMMANDER'S MESSAGE

Captain Manny Gill is a 26-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol (CHP).  He was born and raised in North Hollywood, CA and graduated from John H. Francis Polytechnic High School. 
Captain Gill entered the CHP academy in 1994 and upon graduation was assigned to the West Valley Area Office.  Captain Gill quickly learned that he enjoyed the challenge of conducting complex investigations.  In 1998, he became the West Valley Area’s Felony Follow-up officer and began investigating all major incidents that occurred within the West Valley Area’s geographical boundaries.  In 2002, he obtained an investigator position with CHP Southern Division’s Investigative Services Unit in the Vehicle Theft Unit.  From 2002 through 2008, he was assigned to Los Angeles County’s Taskforce for Regional Auto-theft Prevention (TRAP) which is a multi-agency taskforce assigned to investigate and deter organized vehicle theft and vehicle fraud.  In 2009, Captain Gill graduated from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Studies - Vocational Arts. 

In 2018, Captain Gill promoted to lieutenant and was assigned as the Field Operations Officer for the South Los Angeles Area.  In 2019, he transferred back to the West Valley Area as the Field Operations Officer.  In 2020, Captain Gill was selected as Southern Division’s Investigative Services Unit coordinator where he oversaw CHP’s Major Crimes Unit, Vehicle Theft Unit, Canine Program, Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team and Critical Incident Investigation Teams. 
On January 1, 2021, Captain Gill promoted to the rank of Captain and was assigned to the East Los Angeles Area as the Commander.  The East Los Angeles Area geographically encompasses 88 miles of freeway in addition to the unincorporated areas of East Los Angeles, South San Gabriel, and pockets of unincorporated areas within Pico Rivera and Rosemead.  The East Los Angeles Area Office is comprised of two lieutenants, 10 sergeants, 79 officers, and 16 non-uniformed personnel with a spectrum of duties from clerical to fleet maintenance. 
The East Los Angeles Area Office offers an Explorer Program to young men and women (ages 15-21), and a Senior Volunteer Program to retired persons (ages 55+).  The East Los Angeles Area Office includes Special Duty assignments for officers ranging from Community Oriented Policing (COPs) Unit, Safety Services Program (SSP) Officers, Felony Unit Officers, Accident Investigation Officers, Evidence Officer, Court Liaison Officer, Discovery Officer, Tow Rotation Officer, and Public Information Officer. 
Captain Gill has received numerous commendations and awards that include multiple Commander Commendations for excellent Community Engagement and Exceptional Performance, multiple Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Team Awards, and multiple Division Commander Commendations for Exceptional Performance, just to name a few. 
Captain Gill is committed to ensuring the communities CHP serves are receiving the highest level of safety, security, and service.