Born and raised in Inglewood, California, Yesenia is the middle child in her family and the first to attend
college immediately after graduating Inglewood High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in
Sociology and Applied Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Following graduation, Yesenia relocated to Virginia, where she gained experience working in a variety of
professional roles. She returned to California in 2014 and continued building a diverse career path,
serving as a financial crimes Investigator for a casino, a Behavioral Therapist treating children diagnosed
with autism, and as a Substitute Teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
In 2017, Yesenia joined the Los Angeles Police Department and completed her probationary period in
Southwest Division. She later transferred to Central Division, where she was assigned to the RESET Unit,
a specialized team focused on addressing the complex challenges within the Skid Row area, including
homelessness, substance abuse, and quality-of-life concerns.
Yesenia subsequently joined the Street Racing Task Force at Central Traffic Division (CTD), she became a
subject matter expert working alongside multiple law enforcement agencies throughout Los Angeles
County addressing illegal street racing and street takeover activities. She helped train other Officers and
guided Officers with her knowledge.
While at CTD, she became a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and a certified Collision Investigator (CI). Her career knowledge continued to expand working Central Traffic Division- Detectives Section, where she conducted in depth criminal investigations into crimes such as vehicular manslaughter and homicides. During her time in Central Traffic Division, she continued her education and earned a master’s degree in public administration with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership from National University.
In September of 2024 Yesenia was promoted to Police Officer III, Field Training Officer (FTO) assigned to
Central Division.
As an FTO she was entrusted to teach, mentor, and guide, new probationary Officers as they transitioned from the Police academy to their first day on Patrol. As an FTO she developed and mentored the young Officers who represent the next generation of police officers and future of policing.
Yesenia serves as a Peer Support Member within the department. She is deeply committed to officer
wellness, mental health advocacy, and professional development. Having benefited from strong mentorship throughout her own career, she is passionate about helping others navigate their professional journeys, build confidence, and achieve their goals. She believes that emotional and mental well-being are essential to both personal success and the long-term strength of the law enforcement profession.
Yesenia has been an active member of The Los Angeles Policewomen's Association (LAWPOA) for several
years. Through the guidance and mentorship, she received within the organization, she successfully
achieved her goal of becoming a Field Training Officer and as of June 2026 is promoting to Sergeant I,
Patrol Field Supervisor, assigned to Rampart Division. As she advances in her career, she remains
committed to giving back by mentoring fellow officers and helping future leaders reach their full potential.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Yesenia enjoys traveling to new destinations, exploring
different cultures, and maintaining an active lifestyle through distance running. She is an avid half-
marathon and marathon runner and has successfully completed two full marathons. Her commitment to
personal growth, wellness, and service continues to shape both her career and her contributions to the
communities and colleagues she serves.
