Two long-time San Diego Police Department (SDPD) members were tapped by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve as advisors to the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).
Lt. Charles Lara, who has served with SDPD since 1999, has been a lieutenant with the force since 2011.
Lara has worked both as an Internal Affairs Unit sergeant and lieutenant, has overseen SDPD disclosures related to mandated local, state and federal legislation, and has assisted with ensuring compliance with the City of San Diego’s Surveillance Ordinance, the department shared.
He will be one of nine board members on the Peace Officer Standards Accountability Advisory Board, created in 2021, according to a release shared by the Governor's office.
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Along with the board's duties to review serious misconduct cases involving peace officers, members also conduct public hearings to formulate decertification recommendations to the POST management, the commission's website outlines.
The Standards Accountability advisory board is one of three boards whose appointed members provide guidance to the state's law enforcement training commission and its more than 130 employees.
Lara holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies and Politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, according to Newsom's office.
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Sgt. Nicholas Nguyen, who is also a director for the San Diego Police Officer's Association, has served with SDPD since 2005 and has been a sergeant since 2014.
Nguyen will serve as one of eighteen members on the POST Commission among other law enforcement professionals and members of the public.
The commission meets quarterly to establish standards, regulations, and to give direction to POST staff.
Nguyen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Riverside, according to Newsom's office.
“The San Diego Police Department has leaders serving at every level who want to ensure the future of this profession is shaped with input from our region,” Police Chief David Nisleit said. “Through their experiences with SDPD, I’m confident Lt. Lara and Sgt. Nguyen will be valued voices as members of these boards, bringing insight and fairness to difficult decisions."
