Deputy Chief Gareth Longford Retires (NR003-26ef)
Posted: 11 Jan 2026, 07:51
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Los Santos Police Department
Los Santos, San Andreas
Los Santos: On the evening of January 9th, 2025, Deputy Chief Gareth Longford notified the Los Santos Police Department of his intention to retire and conclude his career in law enforcement, stepping away from his position as Commanding Officer, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau.
Longford is stepping away and concluding a law enforcement career of exactly four years with the Los Santos Police Department, following his transfer into the Department on January 10th, 2022. Deputy Chief Longford's career has been entirely focused on the Department's special operations, with most of his early career focusing on the Metropolitan Division. In his position as Commanding Officer, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau, Longford oversaw the core umbrella of specialized divisions within the Department, namely the Traffic Enforcement Division, the Air Support Division, and the Metropolitan Division, which houses SWAT and K9.
Deputy Chief Longford started his career with the Los Santos Police Department on January 10th, 2022, after he transferred into the Department's Metropolitan Division's D Platoon and assumed the rank of Sergeant I. Here, Longford assumed the role of Officer-in-Charge of the division's D Platoon, which is more commonly known as "LSPD SWAT", the Department's tactical response to high-risk, dangerous, and high-intensity situations.
In this role, Longford continued to foster relationships within the Department and find his footing within the Metropolitan Division, eventually being promoted internally and assuming the role of Assistant Commanding Officer, Metropolitan Division on March 1st, 2022. Assuming this role meant that Longford expanded his scope largely, from D Platoon as a unit to the umbrella division and all platoons that fell underneath them, including the K9 Platoon, for canine services, and the M Platoon, which serves the purposes of administration and training.
Deputy Chief Longford maintained his position as Assistant Commanding Officer, Metropolitan Division, throughout the foreseeable future of his career. Longford made a major step in his law enforcement career with his induction into the Department's command staff as Captain I on March 30th, 2023. Throughout this time, he continued to serve the Metropolitan Division in his role until August 17th, 2023, when he was reassigned as Commanding Officer, Metropolitan Division.
Longford, as a long-term rising star in the Department, continued to make waves, progressing through the command staff rank ladder, eventually promoting to Commander on November 6th, 2024, after which he continued to serve as a vital part of LSPD's command staff. It wasn't until June 10th, 2025, that Longford began to make large leaps in the Department's leadership teams, being appointed as the Assistant to the Director, Office of Operations, aiding Assistant Chief Dunbar in the day-to-day running and overseeing of the Department's special operations.
As the Assistant to the Director, Longford was eventually promoted to Deputy Chief on July 27th, 2025, and was formally inducted as an LSPD Staff Officer. His tenure in this position was temporary, however, as a vacancy soon opened up to which he was reassigned, after which Longford assumed the role of Commanding Officer, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau.
Longford continued to build a legacy, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience through his broadened scope, shaping the next generation and future of the Los Santos Police Department's special operations, both the divisions and the officers therein. A well-liked leader by his peers, a valued colleague to all, and a calm voice of reason in the most hectic of situations, Deputy Chief Longford's commanding officers and superiors had the following to say:
As a prominent and defining leadership figure within the Department's special operations, Deputy Chief Longford will leave behind a legacy and a void that will be difficult to fill.
We wish Deputy Chief Longford nothing but the best and a prosperous retirement, hoping that he pursues and achieves all he intends and wishes to in his newly freed-up time.
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Los Santos, San Andreas
News Release
NR003-26ef
January 11, 2026
Deputy Chief Gareth Longford Retires
Los Santos: On the evening of January 9th, 2025, Deputy Chief Gareth Longford notified the Los Santos Police Department of his intention to retire and conclude his career in law enforcement, stepping away from his position as Commanding Officer, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau.
Longford is stepping away and concluding a law enforcement career of exactly four years with the Los Santos Police Department, following his transfer into the Department on January 10th, 2022. Deputy Chief Longford's career has been entirely focused on the Department's special operations, with most of his early career focusing on the Metropolitan Division. In his position as Commanding Officer, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau, Longford oversaw the core umbrella of specialized divisions within the Department, namely the Traffic Enforcement Division, the Air Support Division, and the Metropolitan Division, which houses SWAT and K9.
In this role, Longford continued to foster relationships within the Department and find his footing within the Metropolitan Division, eventually being promoted internally and assuming the role of Assistant Commanding Officer, Metropolitan Division on March 1st, 2022. Assuming this role meant that Longford expanded his scope largely, from D Platoon as a unit to the umbrella division and all platoons that fell underneath them, including the K9 Platoon, for canine services, and the M Platoon, which serves the purposes of administration and training.
Deputy Chief Longford maintained his position as Assistant Commanding Officer, Metropolitan Division, throughout the foreseeable future of his career. Longford made a major step in his law enforcement career with his induction into the Department's command staff as Captain I on March 30th, 2023. Throughout this time, he continued to serve the Metropolitan Division in his role until August 17th, 2023, when he was reassigned as Commanding Officer, Metropolitan Division.
Longford, as a long-term rising star in the Department, continued to make waves, progressing through the command staff rank ladder, eventually promoting to Commander on November 6th, 2024, after which he continued to serve as a vital part of LSPD's command staff. It wasn't until June 10th, 2025, that Longford began to make large leaps in the Department's leadership teams, being appointed as the Assistant to the Director, Office of Operations, aiding Assistant Chief Dunbar in the day-to-day running and overseeing of the Department's special operations.
As the Assistant to the Director, Longford was eventually promoted to Deputy Chief on July 27th, 2025, and was formally inducted as an LSPD Staff Officer. His tenure in this position was temporary, however, as a vacancy soon opened up to which he was reassigned, after which Longford assumed the role of Commanding Officer, Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau.
Longford continued to build a legacy, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience through his broadened scope, shaping the next generation and future of the Los Santos Police Department's special operations, both the divisions and the officers therein. A well-liked leader by his peers, a valued colleague to all, and a calm voice of reason in the most hectic of situations, Deputy Chief Longford's commanding officers and superiors had the following to say:
Chief of Police Phillipe Sanchez wrote:Deputy Chief Gareth Longford’s resignation is a significant loss for our department and for many of us who had the chance to work with him and call him a friend. For nearly six years, Gareth served with remarkable dedication, most recently as the Commanding Officer of the Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau. He handled immense responsibility with calmness, integrity, and unwavering determination.
Gareth was crucial in developing and strengthening the CTSOB, often working behind the scenes to ensure everyone was safe, supported, and prepared for whatever the city may throw their way. He led by example, never demanding more from others than he was willing to give himself, and consistently prioritising the mission and the well-being of his team.
On a personal level, Gareth was more than just a senior officer or trusted colleague. He was someone you could count on during tough times, offering advice that was honest, thoughtful, and rooted in genuine care for others with a sprinkle of sarcasm as standard. His loyalty, humor, and steady presence made even the hardest days easier to handle.
While I respect his choice to step back, his absence will be deeply felt. Gareth leaves behind not only a legacy of operational excellence but also lasting friendships and the gratitude of everyone in the department. He will always have my respect, my thanks, and my friendship.
Assistant Chief Scott Dunbar, Chief of Operations wrote:Deputy Chief Longford is a veteran of the Special Operations Bureau. He rose to his current role through his excellent leadership of the Metropolitan Division.
Since his appointment as a Deputy Chief, he has been a competent pair of hands I could rely on to get tasks done. His subsequent contributions are greatly appreciated.
I am saddened by his departure; however, I wish him the best in whatever he does in the future.
Assistant Chief Dezzy Bala, Chief of Administration wrote:To an outsider, it may seem curious to describe someone that achieved what Gareth achieved in the Los Santos Police Department as underrated but I really feel that that adjective I feel is appropriate for trying to describe his career with us. Primarily with a Special Operations and METRO background, Gareth was arguably one of the best field supervisors of any era of the Department and I don't say that lightly given some of the names on our roster over the years.
Calm under pressure, measured in his thinking, proportionate in his responses and with a resolute professionalism that demanded the same by all those that he shared a patrol car, a unit, a division or a bureau with. There are individuals that come along every once in a while that embody the 'rising tide lifts all ships' mentality and I think that Gareth was very much that. He had big shoes to fill when he came into the positions he did, both in terms of the Commanding Officer of METRO and also, the Bureau Director of Special Operations but he did so without skipping a beat.
It may be no secret that we have not always seen eye to eye, but I respect Gareth for everything that he has done for the Department overall during his time with us and his loss will be keenly felt in the coming weeks.
As a prominent and defining leadership figure within the Department's special operations, Deputy Chief Longford will leave behind a legacy and a void that will be difficult to fill.
We wish Deputy Chief Longford nothing but the best and a prosperous retirement, hoping that he pursues and achieves all he intends and wishes to in his newly freed-up time.
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69 Sinner Street • Los Santos • San Andreas • 90013
Emergency Hotline: 911 • Public Inquiries • Email: [email protected]
"to protect and to serve"
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69 Sinner Street • Los Santos • San Andreas • 90013
Emergency Hotline: 911 • Public Inquiries • Email: [email protected]
"to protect and to serve"
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