Two Lieutenants sworn in to join Menifee Police Department

Menifee Police Lieutenants Denise Keith and Heriberto Gutierrez are sworn in by city clerk Sarah Manwaring.

The Menifee Police Department officially added two members to its administrative force Wednesday night with the swearing in of Lieutenants Denise Keith and Heriberto Gutierrez at the City Council meeting.

Keith and Gutierrez become the fourth and fifth sworn officers in the department, which will take over law enforcement from the Riverside Sheriff’s Department on July 1. Police Chief Pat Walsh and captains David Gutierrez and Christopher Karrer were also present at the ceremony.

Keith began her law enforcement career in 2005 in Texas. She served a year and a half with the Denton County Sheriff’s Department, then 12 years with the Addison Police Department. She was promoted to Lieutenant in 2015 and supervised the patrol and criminal investigations divisions.

Heriberto Gutierrez began his law enforcement career at age 14 in the Police Explorer program of the South Gate Police Department. He graduated from the Rio Hondo Police Academy in 2000 and joined the South Gate PD, serving as a patrol officer, gang officer, field training officer, SWAT officer and narcotics detective.

Promoted to Sergeant in 2013, Gutierrez supervised several specialized units, including the department’s Active Shooter Response Program for officers and civilians.

“Our swearing in ceremonies are a vital part of what we do in the police force,” said Walsh. “We want to showcase to the community the oath that the officers are taking, with their families present, as they are part of the commitment as well to building a strong public safety team.

“These two lieutenants have already hit the ground running. “They have already proven to be a critical part of the team and have made strides in assisting the team as we build the department.”

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