Full Notification

The Morgan Hill Police Department is honored and proud to announce the selection of Captain Mario Ramirez to the International Association of Chiefs of Police’s (IACP) 40 under 40 for 2021. The annual IACP 40 Under 40 award recognizes 40 law enforcement professionals under the age of 40 from around the world who demonstrate leadership, exemplify a commitment to their profession, and positively impact their communities and the field of policing.
 
The professionals chosen as the 2021 40 Under 40 awardees represent the rising leaders of policing, regardless of rank. They serve their agencies and communities with excellence, whether they are civilian staff, line officers, or chiefs of police. This year’s awardees include public information officers, special agents, captains, lieutenants, section and department leads, victim services staff, inspectors, deputy chiefs, and others. They hail from six countries and represent local, state and provincial, national, and military police and law enforcement agencies.
   
Captain Ramirez started working for the Morgan Hill Police Department in 2002, working his way up the ranks from police cadet to captain. He has a master’s degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership from the University of San Diego and a California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Advanced and Supervisory Certificates. Additionally, he is a certified court expert and served as the department’s defensive tactics and emergency vehicle operations instructor.
 
Captain Ramirez helped lead the city through several historic events in 2020. With a captain vacancy, Captain Ramirez, a sergeant at the time, filled the role, becoming the department’s disease infectious control officer and ensuring no instances of COVID-19 occurred in the department.

He also served many days as the city’s liaison officer to the fire department during the Santa Clara Unit Lightning Complex Fire, one of California’s largest wildland fires in history, providing vital information to assist in the safe evacuations of hundreds of people. He successfully led several safety operations during civil unrest while ensuring the rights of all community members. His actions in these roles helped minimize injuries, preserve property, and ensure the overall safety of first responders and community members.

Captain Ramirez is also leading the department’s efforts to implement the California Racial Identity Profiling Act (RIPA) to eliminate racial and identity profiling and understand diversity in law enforcement through training, education, and outreach. Additionally, he implemented a Mobile Crisis Response Team that partners officers with licensed clinicians to better respond to incidents involving members of the community who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
 
Captain Ramirez said, “I am truly humbled and honored to be the recipient of such an award and to be part of such a diverse group of awardees. I accept this award on behalf of the men and women who have worked selflessly during these unprecedented times.” Chief Palsgrove, who nominated Captain Ramirez, said, “Captain Ramirez has really stepped up in these times of crisis and has put others’ needs before his own. I am incredibly proud of our officers and professional staff that have given so much to their profession.”