Dedicated to Law Enforcement

by Stephanie Struyck Elgin

What started out as a ride-along, soon turned into a lifelong career; making his way from a law class in high school all the way to the Captain’s chair for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Department.  “There was no question about it,” states Santa Clarita resident and Chief of Police, Captain Paul Becker, “I always knew I wanted to be a cop.”
Becker’s dedication to law enforcement became official just three days after he turned 18.  “I loved everything about law.  I signed onto the department as a law enforcement intern in 1981, and was sworn into duty in 1984.”
Captain Becker has since served as a lieutenant for the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau, overseeing the gang task force, unsolved murder team and active murder investigations team.  He has also served in several divisions within the Sheriff’s Department including Contract Law Enforcement Bureau; Transit Services Bureau-Robbery and Assault team, Palmdale, Avalon, Carson, and Lakewood Stations, as well as the Custody Operations Division-Men’s Central Jail.  
From 1992 to 1997, Becker was a detective for the Avalon Sheriff’s Station on Santa Catalina Island.   While on the island, he obtained his pilot’s license and enjoyed flying and boating on his free time.  He and his wife, Linda, made their home on Catalina Island for a short while.  Linda is also in law enforcement and currently serves as a lieutenant, overseeing the Sheriff’s Training Academy.  Keeping it in the family, Becker’s two stepsons are also sheriff deputies.   
Becker left Catalina Island and continued his service by working with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority as a robbery and assault detective, and created a K-9 bomb detection program.
In 2004, Becker relocated and served as a Watch Commander for the Palmdale Station.  Two years later, he was an unincorporated liaison for the county’s board of supervisors.  He brought over 100 deputies to unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.
Becker returned to his passion in the field and worked for the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau in 2008.  In 2010, Becker made his way to the Santa Clarita Valley where he currently serves as our Captain.
Captain Becker brings 30 years of law enforcement experience to our community and was named the new Chief of Police last year after an interview process involving City Council, the city manager and various community leaders.  
Since assuming command as captain, Becker has made it a priority to focus on the youth in our community.  “I want to concentrate on the influence narcotics has on our community, primarily in our youth,” states Becker.  “Property crime, burglary rates, larceny and narcotics are all related.  If we can intervene at an early age and work with the youth in our community, we can also prevent many issues that could arise in adulthood.”   The City of Santa Clarita and the Hart School District have been very supportive of Becker.  “Drug prevention starts with family involvement, accountability and commitment,” states Becker.  “If we address the issues in regards to narcotics at an early age, we can prevent individuals from developing severe addictions.  We need to continue to find ways through programs that encourage responsibility to be good citizens, and by working with the strong support of the City of Santa Clarita and Hart School District, we will work very hard to achieve this.”