Beth Ward

Beth Ward joined the Oxnard Police Department in January 2018, after 18 years with the Simi Valley Police Department. Beth’s experience in law enforcement is diversified. She holds over 600 hours of POST certifications in the areas of evidence collection, crime scene investigation, records management, peer support counseling and communications. Beth earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership and her Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran University. Beth is also a Leadership Simi Valley Class 2016 graduate.

Beth began her law enforcement career in 2000. She held the positions of Records Technician I and II, before promoting to the Detective Unit, where she spent the majority of her career in Simi Valley. She was the Court Liaison Secretary, before promoting to Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) in 2004. Beth held the CSI position for nearly 9 years.  In hopes of pursuing a more administrative role, she completed her master’s degree in 2015. As the Detective Administrative Technician, she was responsible for the California Sex and Arson Registration (CSAR) administration, subpoena control, criminal case management, audits, dispatch audio recordings and was the Department’s Livescan trainer.

Beth believes in professional development and in staying actively involved in the department and the community. Some of her many ancillary assignments have been: Police Recognition Committee Chair, Peer Support team member, Explorer Advisor and Treasurer, Training and Development Committee, Strategic Planning Committee member, Social Media Task Force, Baker to Vegas crew member and Youth Employment Advisory Board Member.  Beth was the founding Executive Director for the first and only community garden Simi at the Garden in Simi Valley, which continues to provide a healthy atmosphere for citizens of all ages. The Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce named Beth the 2017/18 Leadership Simi Valley Chairperson. Beth earned her teaching credentials in 2016 and enjoys teaching Intro to Law Enforcement to Ventura County high school students, including many from Oxnard.