Senior Staff

Chief of Police

Chief Eric Parra

A 33-year law enforcement veteran, Mr. Parra's career began with the Sheriff’s Department in 1987 when he attended the Department's Training Academy as a member of Class #236. After graduating as a Deputy Sheriff, he held assignments at Men's Central Jail and Lynwood Station. Mr. Parra was promoted to Sergeant in 1993 and worked at Pitchess Detention Center - South Facility, Lakewood Station, Special Enforcement Bureau, and the Office of the Sheriff. In 2000, Mr. Parra was promoted to Lieutenant and worked at the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Bureau, Los Angeles County Strategic Planning Bureau (LASD2), Industry Station and Special Enforcement Bureau. In 2004, Mr. Parra was promoted to Captain and served as the unit commander for the Emergency Operations Bureau and Reserve Forces Bureau. In 2010, Mr. Parra promoted to Commander in Custody Division. In 2011, Mr. Parra was selected as a member of the Commander's Management Task Force responsible for implementing reforms in Custody Division. In 2012, Mr. Parra returned to Custody Division to serve as the overall Operations Commander. In 2013, Mr. Parra was promoted to Division Chief of Custody Division, where he oversaw reform efforts and managed daily operations of Custody Services Division, General Population. In 2017, Mr. Parra was transferred to East Patrol Division, where he managed six patrol stations, twelve contract cities and thirtyone unincorporated areas.

Most recently, Mr. Parra served as the Chief of Police for the City of Alhambra. While in Alhambra, Mr. Parra implemented the Area Command Model for responsible policing, allowing for greater accountability and community involvement. He also enhanced the City’s homeless outreach efforts by partnering officers with mental health clinician to better address the needs of unhoused persons.

Mr. Parra graduated with a bachelor's degree in Administration of Justice from California State University, Long Beach and holds a Juris Doctorate degree from Western State University College of Law. He is also a member of the California State Bar.

Mr. Parra resides in Huntington Beach and enjoys spending time with his wife and three children during his off-duty time.

Patrol Division Commander

Captain Oscar Garcia

Captain Garcia began his career with the El Monte Police Department in 1998. He came to HBPD in 2007. He holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from the California State University of Los Angeles and a master's degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Azusa Pacific University. He is also a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.

As an Officer, he worked a variety of assignments, including Patrol, Beach Detail, Gangs, Narcotics, SWAT, and Arrest and Control Instructor.

After his promotion to Sergeant in 2012, Captain Garcia worked in Patrol, Beach Detail, Narcotics/Gangs/Vice, and SWAT, and as an ACT Instructor.

He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2016. He worked as a Watch Commander, the Executive Officer to the Patrol Captain, and managed the SRO program and the K9 unit, the Special Investigations Bureau Commander, Mobile Field Force Commander, and SWAT Commander.

Captain Garcia was promoted to Captain on January 7, 2023, and currently serves as the Patrol Division Commander.

Special Operations Division Commander

Captain Gaute "Bo" Svendsbo

Captain Svendsbo began his career with the Los Angeles Police Department in March 1990. He came to the HBPD in December 1992. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Chapman University and a master’s degree from National University. He is also a graduate of the Senior Management Institute for Police and the FBI National Academy.

As an officer, he worked a variety of assignments including Patrol, K9, SWAT, Narcotics, DEA Task Force, OC Auto Theft Task Force, and Department Firearms Instructor.

He was promoted to sergeant in 2005 and quickly returned to the SWAT Team as a Team Leader. He also worked as a supervisor in the K9 Unit, Gang Unit, and the Narcotics/Vice Unit.

After promoting to lieutenant in 2013, he returned to the SWAT Team as the Team Commander. He also worked as a Watch Commander, Detective Bureau Commander, and Professional Standards Bureau Commander before his promotion to Captain in 2022.

Administrative Operations Division Commander

Captain Ryan Reilly

Captain Reilly began his career with the Newport Beach Police Department in 2001, before joining the Huntington Beach Police Department in 2005. Prior to his law enforcement career, he obtained a bachelor's degree in Justice Studies from Arizona State University.

Captain Reilly has been a Police Officer for over 20 years and has worked a variety of assignments as an Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, and now Captain. Some of his assignments included Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Gang Detective, and Crimes Against Persons Detective.

During his time as Sergeant, he worked as a Field Training Officer Program Coordinator and in the Professional Standards Unit. After his promotion to Lieutenant, he performed various roles, such as Watch Commander, Field Training Officer Program Commander, and Commander of the Special Events and Traffic Division.

Reilly was promoted to the rank of Captain on September 18, 2021, and is currently assigned as the Administrative Operations Division Commander.

Investigations Division Commander

Captain Kevin Johnson

Captain Johnson began his career in the City of Westminster as a student worker in the police department's Community Outreach Bureau. In 2002, he joined the HBPD as a Police Officer. He holds a bachelor's degree from Long Beach State University and is a graduate of Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute.

Captain Johnson has over 20 years of experience and has worked as a member of the Beach Detail and the Crisis Negotiation Team. After several years in patrol, Captain Johnson was selected to work in the Detective Bureau in the Economic Crimes Unit until he was transferred to the Crimes Against Persons Unit, where he investigated sexual assault crimes, robberies, and homicides.

He was promoted to Sergeant in 2013 and supervised the Crisis Negotiation Team, Special Enforcement Team, Economics Crimes Unit, and Professional Standards Unit.

As a Lieutenant, Captain Johnson served as a Watch Commander, Command Post Coordinator, and Detective Bureau Commander.

Captain Johnson was promoted to Captain on January 7, 2023, and currently serves as the Investigations Division Commander.

Administrative Division Services Manager

Manager Kristin Miller

Manager Miller began her career at the La Palma Police Department as a Records Clerk and learned many ways civilians support a department. She holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Cal State Fullerton and her master's degree in Criminal Justice from Chapman University.

Shortly after, she moved to the Tustin Police Department where she started as the Records Lead. After 2 years she was promoted to Records Supervisor and named acting Dispatch Supervisor. In 2011, she was promoted to Support Manager overseeing the Records, Dispatch, Police Services Officers, and Property units. Kristin also spent 5 years as the CALEA Accreditation manager for the department.

In late 2016, Manager Miller arrived at the Huntington Beach Police Department where she is the Administrative Division Services Manager. Under her command include Records, Dispatch, Property, Front Desk, Personnel and Budget. She is also the liaison to the City’s IS Department.