Acting Deputy Chief Mike Korpal

 

Michael (Mike) was born in Pittsburgh, PA., and is the oldest of seven children.  His family moved to California in 1960 and settled in the San Gabriel Valley.  Mike graduated from San Gabriel High School, attended East Los Angeles, Mount San Antonio and Cal State University, Long Beach.  He possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management.  

Mike began his career in law enforcement with the Los Angeles County Marshall's Office in 1976. In December 1978, he was a lateral transfer to Pasadena and was assigned to the Field Operations Division. There he flourished doing what he claims he was born to do, "fight crime."  Mike became a Field Training Officer, worked as a Motor Officer, was decorated for his work as an undercover officer in Vice/Narcotics and was selected to work in Detectives.  While assigned to Detectives, Mike was the lead investigator in two of the cities most infamous crimes, two separate triple homicides; the murder of three teenage girls in Linda Vista in 1991 and the ‘Halloween Homicides” in 1993.  Both cases were solved and the suspects convicted.  

Mike ascended through the ranks of Agent (Investigator), Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Commander, during which he served in Patrol, Detectives, Event Planning, Jail and Technical Services.  Mike has been awarded the Bronze Award of Merit and has twice received the Chief's Special Award for Excellence.  During his career, Mike has served as the Sponsorship Director for the 1999 California Police Summer Games and as the Executive Director of the California Police Chief’s Association 2009 Conference. Mike was a guest lecturer on the topic; 'Violent Crime in the US' at an international security conference in London, England, he served as instructor in homicide investigations at the Haitian National Police Academy, and has lectured at the COPS Conference in Washington D.C.   

As a 2005 graduate of the California POST Command College, Mike’s graduation thesis was tied to work he is involved in as Chairman of the Police Department’s, “Values-Based Policing” efforts. Mike currently serves as the President of the Pasadena Police Relief Association, and is the Chair of the Supervisory Committee on the Board of Directors for the Pasadena Federal Credit Union.  

Mike has served as the Acting Deputy Chief since November of 2009 following stints as the Commander; Field Operations, Criminal Investigations and Support Operations divisions. His current responsibilities include over all command of the department’s day-to-day operations.  

Michael has been married to his beautiful wife Kimberlee, a Marriage & Family Therapist for 37 years. They have three wonderful children; Sarah a business owner, Amy a middle school teacher, and Raymond a cable & communications specialist.