Chief of Police Luke Hellinga was born and raised in the South Bay and has been with the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department since 2001, when he started as a part-time Police Intern. Soon thereafter, he started working for PVEPD full time as a service officer.

In 2005, Luke graduated towards the top of his class at the prestigious Orange County Sheriff’s Academy. Since then, he has worked his way up through the ranks and has worked many assignments which include Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Detective, Corporal, Sergeant, Patrol Watch Commander, Detective Sergeant, and Captain.

In 2009, Captain Hellinga earned the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Award for making 100 DUI arrests in one year. In 2019, Captain Hellinga, along with Detectives Shea and Crisfield, received the Centurion Award for “Excellence in Criminal Investigations” from the Peace officers Association of Los Angeles County for their work in solving a series of violent armed home invasion robberies.

Luke’s leadership, experience, and deep understanding of the community serves the department and the community well as the Chief of Police.  

Support Division

Captain Aaron Belda is a third-generation law enforcement officer who proudly continues his family's legacy of public service. Inspired by this tradition, Aaron joined the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department in 2007 and has dedicated his career to ensuring community safety.

As Captain of the Support Division, Aaron oversees several critical functions, including the Detective Bureau, Internal Affairs, the jail, dispatch, fleet management, training, equipment, and emergency preparedness. He also assists in managing the department’s budget, volunteer programs, IT systems, and community relations initiatives aimed at fostering a strong connection between law enforcement and the community. Aaron is deeply involved in recruitment and training, focusing on identifying and attracting top-tier personnel to uphold the department’s standards of professionalism, service, and commitment to the community.

Throughout his tenure at the police department, Aaron has worked in various assignments, including Patrol, Motors, Detectives, and the Special Response Team. He has also served as both a Community Liaison Officer and a School Liaison Officer, building strong relationships with residents, businesses, and educational institutions. In addition, he has held multiple leadership roles, such as Traffic Sergeant, Range Sergeant, Social Media Sergeant, and Detective Sergeant.

Throughout his career, which is characterized by integrity, professionalism, and a dedication to the community, Captain Aaron Belda continues to serve the Palos Verdes Estates community with distinction, upholding the department’s mission to provide exceptional public safety and service.

Operations Division

Captain Rebecca Gomez joined the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department in 2024 as an Operations Captain. In this role, she manages the Traffic Division, the Reserve Officer Program, and oversees day-to-day patrol operations, ensuring efficient delivery of public safety services while fostering strong community partnerships.

Rebecca began her law enforcement career as a Law Enforcement Explorer with the San Gabriel Police Department (SGPD). She later graduated the Rio Hondo Police Academy among the top of her class and was hired as a full time Police Officer. Known for her work ethic and investigative skills, Rebecca advanced from patrol to the Special Enforcement Team, where she tackled narcotics, gangs, and human trafficking cases.