ALISO VIEJO, Ca. (Feb. 8, 2023): Captain Alan Villanueva has been selected as the new Chief of Aliso Viejo Police Services. He began his new assignment Friday, Jan. 27.
“I am honored to serve the city of Aliso Viejo and lead the dedicated men and women of the Sheriff’s Department who work hard every day to keep the city safe,” Captain Villanueva said. “I look forward to bringing my experience and background to continue the tradition of excellence in public safety the Sheriff’s Department provides.”
Captain Villanueva joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1998 and worked as a deputy in Custody Operations and Patrol Operations, serving the city of Rancho Santa Margarita and unincorporated South Orange County.
He was promoted to investigator where he worked a variety of assignments, including Financial Crimes, North Narcotics and the Technical Investigations Unit, where he worked narcotics operations, conducted threat assessments and provided dignitary protection.
As a sergeant, he served in Custody Operations before supervising the Technical Investigations Unit.
Captain Villanueva promoted to Lieutenant in 2020 and was assigned to the Central Jails Complex as the Watch Commander. Most recently, he served as the Department Commander assigned to the Emergency Communications Bureau, overseeing the day-to-day patrol operations for the Sheriff’s Department.
In addition, Captain Villanueva has extensive specialized law enforcement training in narcotics, gangs, and human trafficking investigations, and in Incident Command System. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance from Loyola Marymount University and currently serves as an associate instructor at Rancho Santiago Community College.
