Chief Luke Hellinga brings over 25 years of dedicated service to the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department, beginning his career as a parttime Police Intern in 2001. He transitioned to fulltime Service Officer the following year, gaining experience in both jail and dispatch before graduating from the Orange County Sheriff’s Academy in 2005 and joining patrol. Over the years, he has served in nearly every rank and assignment, including Detective, Corporal, Field Training Officer, Sergeant, Watch Commander, Detective Sergeant, Acting Captain of the Support Division, and Captain of the Operations Division. 

Appointed Chief of Police in 2024, he leads with a deep-rooted passion for law enforcement and a steadfast belief in servantleadership and relationshipbased policing. Throughout his career, Chief Hellinga has prioritized operational excellence, integrity, and community trust. His experience spans patrol operations, major criminal investigations, budget management, and internal affairs, consistently demonstrating accountability and professionalism. 

His distinguished service has been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2009 MADD Award for achieving 100 DUI arrests in a single year; the POA Employee Recognition Award in both 2010 and 2023, awarded by his peers; the 2017 Neptune Award, a citywide honor recognizing him as Employee of the Year; and the 2019 Centurion Award for Excellence in Criminal Investigations, presented by the Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County for his work in solving a series of violent armed home invasion robberies alongside Detectives Shea and Crisfield. 

Chief Hellinga holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Brandman University and has completed advanced executive training through POST. Under his leadership, the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department continues to build upon the strong foundation set by his predecessors, advancing as a trusted, relationship-based agency. 

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.