Press Release

Dennis H. Burns, a 29-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Department, was recently promoted to the rank of Commander by Sheriff Lee Baca and assigned to Custody Operations Bureau. The mission of Custody Operations Division is to serve the best interest of Los Angeles County by providing a secure, and constitutionally managed jail environment for both staff and inmates.

Commander Burns’ law enforcement career began in 1974 as a deputy when he entered the academy as a Deputy Sheriff Trainee. After graduating he was assigned to Men’s Central Jail. He worked a patrol assignment at East Los Angeles Station. In 1984 he promoted to the rank of Sergeant and transferred to Malibu Station. In 1986, Commander Burns worked as a Legislative Sergeant on the Executive Planning Council Staff before promoting to the rank of Lieutenant. He worked in the capacity of Watch Commander and Operations Lieutenant for Santa Clarita Valley Station and Sybil Brand Institute for Women.

In 1991, Commander Burns was selected for the position of Lieutenant at Internal Affairs Bureau. During the transition from Internal Affairs Bureau to Risk Management Bureau, he managed a legal team as the Civil Litigation Lieutenant. In 1997, Commander Burns expanded his horizons by working in assignments as a Division Operations Lieutenant for the Chief of the Professional Standards and Training Division, an Executive Aide in the Office of the Assistant Sheriff, and the Operations Lieutenant at Lennox Station before being promoted to the rank of Captain at the Internal Affairs Bureau in 1998.

Commander Burns is a product of the California State College system completing his Bachelor’s of Science Degree at California State University, Los Angeles, in 1974. In 1989, he returned to California State University, Northridge, and attained a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

Commander Burns, a native Texan, resides in the Chino Hills area with his wife Linda. He spends his free time with his 2-year-old grandson, Joshua. Commander Burns enjoys woodworking and home improvement projects.

SHB-109A-03

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October 9, 2003