Memo Espinoza

Memo Espinoza is the Chief for the Avondale Police Department. Memo grew up in Avondale and attended Agua Fria High School.  Memo is a former U.S. Marine and has been with the Avondale Police Department since July of 1997.  During Memo’s police officer career he has worked as a detective, corporal, sergeant, and lieutenant with experience in criminal investigations, hiring, recruitment and training and SRD Sergeant. Memo also served 6 years as a member of the Tactical Operations Unit (SWAT) as an operator and also is trained as a negotiator for the team.  Memo has also served as the Avondale Police Department’s Public Information Officer and was assigned as the Lieutenant for the Criminal Investigations Bureau. Memo earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Administration from Grand Canyon University and his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.  He is also a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. Memo also graduated from the FBI National Academy in September of 2018.  

Jonathon Martin

Jonathon Martin is Assistant Chief of the Avondale Police Department and currently oversees the Administration Division. Jonathon also oversees the Police Services for the City of Litchfield Park. Jonathon is a native of Arizona and grew up in Litchfield Park where he attended Agua Fria High School. Jonathon has been with the Avondale Police Department since 2001. During Jonathon’s career with the Avondale Police Department, he has held several assignments: SWAT Operator, Street Crimes Unit Detective, Patrol Sergeant, Property Crimes Sergeant, Persons Crimes Sergeant, Internal Affairs Sergeant, Patrol Lieutenant, Criminal Investigations Lieutenant, and Special Investigations Bureau Lieutenant. Jonathon is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. Jonathon is currently working on his Bachelor’s degree in Public Safety Administration through Ottawa University.

Albert Bates

Albert Bates is Assistant Chief of the Avondale Police Department and currently oversees the Patrol Bureau. Albert previously served as a lieutenant for 11 years, assigned to the Patrol Bureau and has been with the Avondale Police Department since 2006. Albert has spent the majority of his career in operations and is the current Tactical Operations Unit Commander. Prior to Albert’s service with Avondale, he spent almost 7 years with the Mesa Police Department. Albert is originally from Lawton, Oklahoma and spent over 8 years in the U.S. Navy as an operations specialist. Albert is also the current tactical operations unit commander for the Police Department and oversee the patrol operations division.

Thomas Alt

Thomas Alt has been with the Avondale Police Department since 2006. Prior to his service with Avondale, Tom served in the U.S. Army working in the artillery field with tours served in South Korea and Iraq. During Tom’s career with the Avondale Police Department, he has worked as a motor officer, tactical operations operator, field training officer, Patrol Sergeant, Training Sergeant, Street Crimes Sergeant, and Internal Affairs Sergeant, and has now been assigned as a Patrol Lieutenant. Tom has a Bachelor’s degree in Police Administration and a Master’s degree in the Science of Leadership with an emphasis in Emergency Management, both from Grand Canyon University.

Heath Brittan

Heath Brittan is currently assigned as the lieutenant in the Special Investigations Bureau and joined the Avondale Police Department in 2013, with prior service with the Chandler Police Department. Heath grew up in Glendale and graduated Greenway High School in 1996. Heath continued his education and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a Masters in Criminal Justice and Security. During Heath’s career with the Avondale Police Department he has held several assignments: Patrol Officer, Street Crimes Unit Detective as a member of the Arizona State Gang Taskforce (GIITEM), Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO), Persons Crimes Detective, Patrol Sergeant, and Property Crimes Sergeant.

Brandon Busse

Brandon Busse has been with Avondale Police Department since 2005 and is currently assigned as the lieutenant over Criminal Investigation Bureau where he also oversees Property and Evidence, and Identification sections. Brandon grew up in the West Valley where he attended Tolleson Union High School. During Brandon’s career with the Avondale Police Department he has worked as a Field Training Officer, Driving Instructor, Patrol Sergeant, Hiring and Training Sergeant and School Resource Officer Sergeant. Brandon also served as the Avondale Police Department’s Public Information Officer.

Olivia Contreras

Olivia Contreras is originally from Wheeling, West Virginia where she attended West Liberty State College and received a double B.S. in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She moved to Arizona in 2000 to pursue her Master’s in Psychology. Olivia started with the Avondale Police Department in 2005. In 2020 she promoted to Lieutenant and currently works in the Professional Standards Bureau overseeing hiring, training and community services. During Olivia’s career with the Avondale Police Department she has held several assignments: Patrol Sergeant, Special Victim’s Unit Sergeant, Hostage Negotiator, Person’s Crimes Detective, Special Victim’s Unit Detective and patrol. During her tenure she helped to implement a Mentorship program with one of the local middle schools and develop the Community Service Officer program within the department. Olivia has been actively involved in Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics AZ since 2011 and currently sits on the Arizona State Council. Olivia oversees the LETR program for the department, which, has consistently been one of the Top 10 Fundraising Departments in Arizona. In 2019 she was selected to represent the Law Enforcement community in Arizona for the Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi. Olivia has received the Distinguished and Meritorious Service Awards for her work with Special Olympics and the Special Victim’s Unit. In 2019 she also received the Lady Boss of the Year Award from the Women Fulfilling Purpose Leadership Academy.

Matt Hintz

Mathew Hintz grew up in Avondale and Tolleson and attended Independence High School. Mathew has been with the Avondale Police Department since 2005, and is currently a lieutenant assigned to the Patrol Bureau. Prior to Mathew's ae enforcement career, he served 8 years in the U.S. Army, having served tours in both Bosnia and Iraq. During Mathew’s tenure with the Avondale Police Department he has worked as a Field Training Officer, an operator for the Tactical Operations Unit (SWAT), a Persons Crimes Detective, and as a Public Information Officer, and in his current duties, oversees the Body Worn Camera Program and Field Training Officer Program. As a supervisor, Mathew has supervised patrol, the School Resource Officer Unit, Property Crimes Investigations Unit, Identification Technician and Property and Evidence Sections, and the False Alarm Program. Mathew earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Administration and Emergency Management, and his Master’s in Leadership from Grand Canyon University.

Varney Lopez grew up in the Phoenix area and in 2004 joined the Avondale Police Department, currently serving as Lieutenant overseeing the Professional Standards Bureau.He has served in a variety of functions within the Department to include Field Training Officer (FTO), SWAT team member, and promoting to Sergeant.As a Sergeant, Varney was assigned to work with several communities to include Cashion, the Sanctuary, Cambridge Estates, Coldwater Ridge and Las Ligas, establishing a positive relationship with the community by decreasing crime and improving the overall safety as well as the interaction with the Police Department.He eventually became part of the Training Unit where he served as a Defensive Tactics Instructor, Taser Instructor, and Fitness Instructor, at the same time supervising the Field Trainers and training several new Officers.Varney earned his Bachelor's Degree in Public Safety Administration, his Masters in Public Administration with an Emphasis in Government and Policy from Grand Canyon University, and attended the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command. 

Manny Rios

Manny Rios is a lieutenant assigned to the patrol bureau and has been part of the Avondale Police Department since 2015. He joined our team as a lateral police officer by way of the Gila River Police Department, where he served for four years. Manny is a first-generation American who grew up in Phoenix and graduated from Cesar Chavez High School. He holds an associate degree from South Mountain Community College, a bachelor’s degree in justice studies from Arizona State University, and a master’s degree in leadership from Grand Canyon University. During Manny’s career with our agency, he has served in the following assignments: Field Training Officer, Street Crimes Unit detective, Patrol sergeant, Street Crimes Unit sergeant, CISM/Peer Support Team sergeant, Litchfield Park sergeant, Property Crimes Unit sergeant, Professional Standards Bureau sergeant, Honor Guard sergeant and Public Information sergeant. He has also received numerous commendations and awards, including Officer of the Year, Meritorious Service Award, and Sworn Supervisor of the Year. Manny is also an FBI LEEDA Trilogy series graduate. He is actively involved in the community and has been part of several organizations, including the Valle Del Sol Hispanic Leadership Institute, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Arizona, and CCV, to name a few.

Justin Iwen 

Justin Iwen is originally from a small rural town in Iowa, where he attended Iowa Lakes Community College, and he obtained his associate of arts degree. He furthered his education by earning a bachelor's degree in Government: Public Administration from Liberty University. Justin has been dedicated to law enforcement since joining the department in 2008. Throughout his career, Justin has held various roles within the Avondale Police Department. He has served as a Patrol Officer, Motor Officer, Field Training Officer, CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) team member, Recruitment Team Member, Motor Instructor, Defensive Tactics Instructor, Physical Fitness Instructor, Patrol Sergeant, School Resource Sergeant, WVLETA (West Valley Law Enforcement Training Academy) Sergeant for Class 1 & 2 and Professional Standards Bureau Sergeant. Justin is a lieutenant serving in the Patrol Bureau of the Avondale Police Department and overseeing the Traffic Bureau. Justin has been recognized through numerous accolades, including three MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) enforcement awards, DUI Officer of the Year for the State of Arizona in 2013, Distinguished Service Award, Life Saving Award, GOHS (Governor’s Office of Highway Safety) Award of Excellence, and Officer of the Year for Avondale. Justin completed the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Series, culminating in receiving the prestigious Trilogy Award in May 2024.

Kimberly Martinez

Kimberly Martinez grew up in Connecticut and moved to Arizona in 1996. Kimberly has more than 35 years’ experience in business management and administration in both the private and public sectors. Prior to coming to the Avondale Police Department, Kimberly served as an Administrative Services Officer with the Department of Corrections. She was hired by the AVPD in April 2003 as the Police Administration Manager. In her current role, she is responsible for the overall fiscal management of the police department’s budget, management of the Records Bureau, 20 Day Tow Program, and grant administration. Kimberly has an Associate’s Degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Manchester Community Technical College, a Bachelor’s Degree in both Business Administration and Business Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University.

Angela Destin

Angela Destin is the Communications Manager of the Avondale Police Department, where she holds the responsibility for overseeing the Emergency Communications Center. Being a native to Arizona, Angela temporarily left the state to pursue a higher education at the University of Tulsa. In 2008, she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Education and a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science. Then in 2010 she earned her master’s degree in Educational Administration and Curriculum Supervision. In 2012, Angela returned to Arizona and embarked on a career in Police Emergency Communications. She started her journey as a dispatcher for the Scottsdale Police Department, where she gained valuable experience and skills in emergency communications and operations. Angela was then promoted to the position of Dispatch Supervisor in 2018 when she joined the Avondale Police Department. While working as a Dispatch Supervisor, Angela went on to obtain her Training Instructors Certification in 2021. This certification enables her to contribute to the training and development of emergency communications personnel. Angela has continued to grow and develop within her field and with almost eleven years of experience in Police Emergency Communications, Angela now transitions to the role of Communications Manager. Angela’s dedication to training, development, and operational excellence will play a vital role in the Avondale Police Communications Department’s mission to maintain public safety and deliver quality customer service to the community they serve.

Richard Reyes

Richard Reyes serves as the Detention Manager for the Avondale Police Department. He joined the department in 2024 as a Detention Supervisor, bringing with him over 18 years of experience in Corrections. A native of Eloy and a graduate of Santa Cruz High School, Richard has held a variety of leadership roles throughout his career, including Chief of Security, Captain, Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Unit Manager. He also dedicated 10 years to the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), where he served as Commander.