JR Smith grew up in the South Bay and attended Redondo Union High School where he graduated and went onto El Camino College where he earned an Administration of Justice Associate in Arts Degree. Sergeant Smith began his career with the Hermosa Beach Police Department in June of 2000 as a Police Recruit Officer. After successfully completing the Orange County Sheriff's Academy - Class #148, he was promoted to Police Officer in January 2001.

While at HBPD, Sergeant Smith has worked multiple assignments including Patrol, Motors, Detective, Field Training Officer, Watch Commander, and Honor Guard. He has previously worked as a Community Lead Officer and instructor for the Citizens Academy. Additionally, he has worked with South Bay's high risk individuals as part of the Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) and the Mental Health Evaluation Team (MET). In 2005, Sergeant Smith was an integral part of the implementation of the Neighborhood Watch Program here in Hermosa Beach. Sergeant Smith has also obtained his pilot's license with the Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration for Remote Pilot. 

Sergeant Smith was promoted to his current rank in August 2022 and is currently assigned as the Detective Sergeant.  

Guy Dove began his career with the Hermosa Beach Police Department in 2012. He is a graduate of the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy. 

He was recently promoted to Sergeant in August of 2022, where he currently oversees and supervises the graveyard patrol shift. He also serves as the FTO Sergeant and Alcohol and Beverage Control liaison, along as the Department’s Use of Force and Defensive Tactics Instructor. He worked as a  Patrol Officer from 2012-2017, where he also served as a FTO in 2015. Sergeant Dove worked in Traffic Detail, and was a Downtown Community Lead Officer, Terrorist Liaison Officer, and Alcohol and Beverage Control Officer. When he was in the Detective Bureau from 2017-2021, Sergeant Dove served as an Investigator, worked in Fraud and Crimes against Person’s, and in Automobile Theft and Narcotics. 

He is a graduate of ICI, Los Angeles County Force Instructors School, and Gracie Survival Tactics Level 1. Sergeant Dove was the MADD DUI Officer for 2013 and 2014. 

Sergeant Dove enjoys spending time with his family and attending his children's sports and education programs. 

Sergeant Matt Franco began his career with the Hermosa Beach Police Department in 2014. Sgt. Franco is a proud graduate of the Orange County Sheriff's Academy Class #214. 

After successful completion of the academy, Sgt. Franco was assigned to the Patrol Division as a Patrol Officer.  As his career progressed, he worked in several capacities within the Patrol Division including Downtown Community Lead Officer, Traffic Officer, Field Training Officer, and Watch Commander. He was then selected and assigned to the Detective Bureau from 2017-2021 where he investigated Property Crimes, Sex Crimes, and Financial Crimes. 

Sgt. Franco was promoted to his current rank in July of 2023. He is currently assigned to the Patrol Division, where he oversees the Field Training program, Reserve Officer program, and serves as a member of the department’s Officer Wellness Team.  Sgt. Franco has several collateral duties, which include being a member of the Honor Guard, serving as an HBPD Public Information Officer, and organizing the Community Police Academy. 

Sgt. Franco holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Political Science from Vanguard University and is happily married to his wife Nicole. Together, they are raising their four children, two boys and two girls.  He has also founded and currently runs the South Bay Seagulls, a police and fire baseball team that represents officers from several agencies within the South Bay area.

Sergeant Brent Zuber moved from New York to California in 2006, starting his first job in Hermosa Beach before beginning a career in law enforcement. He graduated from the Rio Hondo Academy in 2017 as part of Class #204 and joined the Hermosa Beach Police Department (HBPD) shortly after. Over the years, Sgt. Zuber advanced through various roles, including Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, and Watch Commander. In 2022, he became a Detective, serving in that capacity until August 2024.

Recently promoted to Sergeant in 2024, Sgt. Zuber has played an instrumental role in the Department, taking on leadership responsibilities as a Use of Force Instructor (Graduate LACO Force Instructor School / and Gracie Survival Tactics), CEW (Charged Energy Weapons) Instructor, and Wellness Counselor. He also helped launch the Department's drone program, flying the first-ever drone assignment for HBPD. Throughout his career, Sgt. Zuber has shown dedication to public service, with a commitment to safety, training, and innovative practices in law enforcement.

Sergeant Garrett McDermott began his career with the Hermosa Beach Police Department in 2009.  Prior to joining HBPD, he worked as a Deputy Sheriff in the State of Vermont. Sgt. McDermott successfully completed the Vermont State Police Academy and the Rio Hondo Police Academy.  Sgt. McDermott has worked several assignments including Patrol, Motors, Field Training Officer, Watch Commander, and Detectives.  

Sgt.  McDermott holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Norwich University.  He is currently assigned to the Patrol division.  He also assists the Traffic division as a Reserve Motor Officer. Sgt. McDermott has played a major role in upgrading equipment used throughout the Department.  He has successfully obtained federal grants that has helped fund additional enforcement efforts for the community.  

Sergeant Kurt Mateko began his career with the Hermosa Beach Police Department in March 2020. Prior to his employment with HBPD, Sgt. Mateko worked as a Patrol Officer with the Santa Monica Police Department. He graduated from the Orange County Sheriff Regional Training Academy in January 2017.

During his time at HBPD, Sgt. Mateko has held several roles, including Patrol Officer, Detective, and Task Force Officer with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Currently, he serves as one of the Department’s Use of Force and Defensive Tactics Instructors, an FAA-certified drone pilot, and a member of the Social Media Team. In recognition of his work, Sgt. Mateko received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving DUI pin in 2021.

Outside of work, he enjoys outdoor activities, playing sports, and spending quality time with family and friends.