Candidate for
Council Member; City of Yorba Linda

Chief Eugene J. (Gene) Hernandez (RET.)

Chief Hernandez received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Administration of Criminal Justice from San Jose State University and his Masters of Science Degree in Management from Cal Poly, Pomona. He is a graduate of Class 15 of the California POST Command College and Class 154 of the F.B.I. National Academy. He entered law enforcement as a police officer with the City of Fullerton in 1972. He transferred to the Orange Police Department in 1975. He attained the rank of Captain within that agency, with his last assignment being the Administrative Division Commander. Other assignments included: Detective, Motor Officer, SWAT Team member and Team Leader, Accident Investigator and Project Manager for the then New Orange Police Facility. In 1998, he assumed the Chief of Police position with the City of Chino. He held that position until his retirement in December of 2006.

Gene has always been actively involved in the communities he has served. Community and professional service has included: District Governor, 2008-09, Rotary International, District 5300; Rotary Group Study Exchange Team Leader in 2006 to District 1910 (Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina); 2008, 2010, 2011, and 2012 participated in National Immunization Days in India; 2005 participated in Water Well Project in Zambia, Africa; 2004 participated in Wheelchair Distribution Project in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and again in 2012 in Hermosillo, San Carlos, and Guaymas, Mexico; 2011-12 Chair for the Rotary Rose Parade Float Committee; Current Vice-Chair for the California State Athletic Commission, appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and re-appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown; Past Board President of the Yorba Linda/Placentia YMCA and Current Board Member of the North Orange County YMCA, Past President of the Orange YMCA and Past Board President for the Chino Valley YMCA; Past Chairman for the Orange Chamber of Commerce Leadership Orange program; Past President of Family Solutions Inc., residential and foster care homes for abused children; Current Board member of Concept 7, a Family Support and Treatment Centers service; Past President of Orange North Rotary Club and Past President of the Chino Rotary Club; Member of Orange Elks Lodge 1475; Past Community Concerns Specialist for the California State PTA Board; Past Board of Director for the Chino Valley Medical Center; Current Board member of the PrimeHealth Care Foundation; Past President of the Board for the Chino Boxing Club Foundation; Past Board Member of the Boy Scouts of America - Old Baldy Council; Past President of the Command College Alumni Association; Past Committee Member for the FBI National Academy Alumni Association; and Past President of the Society of Police Futurists International.

Gene retired from law enforcement after a 34 year career in December of 2006. He has been married for 43 years to wife, Louise, and has three children, four grandchildren, and all reside in the City of Yorba Linda. Gene is a 27 year resident of Yorba Linda. Gene's passion is community volunteerism and world humanitarian travel.