Bernard Melekian started his career in 1973 with the Santa Monica Police Department, and worked as a deputy sheriff for a year with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s department in 1976 before returning to Santa Monica, where he served 23 years and earned the Medal of Valor in 1978 and the Medal of Courage in 1980. Melekian was selected as chief of police for the city of Pasadena, where he stayed from 1996 to 2009. He then was selected to lead the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services Office, which provides training, grants and assistance to law enforcement agencies nationwide. He held that duty until 2013 before moving to Santa Barbara and running his own consulting business. Melekian received his doctorate in policy, planning and development from the University of Southern California, and earned a public administration master’s degree and American history bachelor’s degree from Cal State University, Northridge. He also is a nationally recognized expert in police practices.