Sheriff's veteran chosen to run Moreno Valley Police Department

RIVERSIDE - A 25-year Riverside County law enforcement veteran will take the helm of the Moreno Valley Police Department next month.

Joel Ontiveros, 45, was promoted Tuesday to captain by Sheriff Stan Sniff, who also announced that Ontiveros would be taking over from Chief Deputy John Anderson as commander of the Moreno Valley station effective May 31.

"Captain Ontiveros brings a vast amount of experience to his new position, having held a variety of assignments within the sheriff's department," Sniff said. "The experience he gained while serving in these assignments will certainly be beneficial to his new command with the Moreno Valley Police Department and the citizens of the city of Moreno Valley."

Anderson, 57, will be working in the sheriff's executive office in downtown Riverside. He has served as chief of the Moreno Valley Police Department since September 2008.

Moreno Valley is one of 17 cities that contracts with the county for law enforcement services.

Ontiveros joined the department in 1987, starting out in the corrections division, staffing jails. He was later transferred to Lake Elsinore, working his way up to investigator before earning three stripes and going back to corrections.

In 1998, he was transferred to the Moreno Valley station, where he was promoted to lieutenant 10 years later, supervising field operations.

"Captain Ontiveros has the experience and a positive relationship with the Moreno Valley Police Department and the city of Moreno Valley through his previous assignment as a sergeant and lieutenant," said Mayor Richard Stewart. "This experience will serve him well with his new duties and responsibilities."