Sheriff announces new police captain for Palm Desert
A new captain will be taking charge of the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station.
Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff recently announced that Captain David Teets will oversee the unincorporated areas of the western portion of the Coachella Valley, while also serving as the police chief for Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, and Indian Wells.
Captain Teets is replacing former Captain Sue Trevino who recently retired after nearly a 30-year career with the sheriff’s department. Sheriff Sniff said the command change takes effect immediately.
According to the sheriff’s release, Captain Teets was promoted to Sheriff’s Captain in 2015, and has commanded the Indio and Blythe jails since then. He returns to the station he previously served within as a Lieutenant, from 2011 to 2014. The Palm Desert Station is one of two Sheriff’s patrol stations within the Coachella Valley.
The Palm Desert facility serves 100,000 permanent residents, has a service area of over 325 square miles, and is staffed by nearly 200 personnel, including 153 sworn. Its operating budget this past fiscal year was approximately $37 million. In addition to the unincorporated areas of the Western Coachella Valley, the Palm Desert Station provides full policing services to the Cities of Indian Wells, Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage.
Captain Teets is a 19-year veteran of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. He joined the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department in 1997. As a new Deputy Sheriff, his initial assignment was to the Sheriff’s Court Services Division, and his job was to provide courtroom security at the downtown Family Law Courthouse in Riverside, officials said in the release.
Captain Teets has received the following Department awards: Medal of Courage (2003); Lifesaving Medal (2000), and Unit Citation (2001).
Captain Teets is married with three sons, and has spent nearly all of his life in Riverside County. Captain Teets holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration.
