The Seal Beach Police Department in the new year is promoting four officers to the rank of police corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, and captain.
When Cpt. Michael Henderson was promoted to chief in November, several vacant positions were created in the department, according to officials.
“I am happy to announce the new leaders we are promoting within our ranks,” Henderson said in a Dec. 27 statement. “I have worked closely with all of them, and I know they will excel in their new positions. I am extremely proud of the fact that we had internal candidates who were willing to apply to take on the additional responsibilities of these administrative positions.”
Lt. Nick Nicholas is taking on the rank of captain. In his 12 years at the department, Nicholas has served the community of Seal Beach in various assignments—including most recently as the operations bureau lieutenant, public information officer, and facility dog handler, working alongside his canine partner Yosa.
Nicholas has also been a patrol watch commander, field training officer, terrorism liaison officer, explorer post advisor, homeless liaison officer, bike patrol officer, and was the department’s designated narcotics detective. He holds a master’s degree in Political Science and a bachelor’s in Public Administration, both from the California State University–Fullerton.
Meanwhile, Detective Sgt. Chris Hendrix is assuming the role of lieutenant after 16 years at the department.
Prior to Seal Beach, he served for eight years on active duty as a U.S. Marine and was promoted to the military rank of sergeant. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona and is currently working on his master’s degree at California Coast University.
Cpl. Jeff Gibson, who joined the Seal Beach Police Department in 2009, is rising to the rank of sergeant in 2023.
Gibson is currently assigned to the Patrol Division as a watch commander. Throughout his 19 years as an officer, Gibson has had a variety of assignments, including detective, motor officer, field training officer, Serious Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team, Beach Patrol, and explorer advisor. He was awarded Police Officer of the Year in 2016 and 2018, according to the department. He is currently completing his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Safety.
Officer Benjamin Jaipream, who has served Seal Beach for five years, was promoted to the rank of corporal after being promoted to acting corporal last year, according to the department.
Jaipream’s current assignment is Patrol Division, where he serves as a field training officer, range master, lead administrative explorer advisor, and operations sergeant of the West County SWAT team. Before he joined Seal Beach, he spent 14 years with the Westminster Police Department assigned to the Patrol and the Detective Bureau, investigating property and financial crimes.
Each officer received their respective promotions after an “extensive testing and evaluation process,” according to officials.
“All the candidates demonstrated dedication to the department and the community, and I am grateful to those who participated in the arduous testing process,” Henderson said in the statement.
