Gabriel L. Ortiz is a twenty-year veteran of law enforcement and currently a Captain with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) – Education, Training & Research Division. He is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, Class 248 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Leadership from Texas A&M University – Commerce. Captain Ortiz began his law enforcement career in 1992 in the United States Air Force as a Security Police Officer performing assignments in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East shortly after the Gulf War in support of Operation Provide Comfort. Upon completion of his tour in the Air Force, he accepted employment as a Corrections Officer with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office in Abilene before hiring with DPS as a State Trooper in 1999.
Captain Ortiz was assigned as a Trooper to the Texas Highway Patrol in Region 2 – Houston with his duty station in Lake Jackson. In addition to his routine duties as a Trooper, he was a member of the Honor Guard Detail, Civil Disturbance Management Team, District Accident Reconstruction Team, and Regional Interview Board. As a Trooper, Captain Ortiz obtained his certification as a Drug Recognition Expert and received a Trooper of the Year award in 2003. In 2004, Captain Ortiz promoted to Sergeant in the Criminal Law Enforcement Division – Special Crimes Service and assigned to El Paso. While in El Paso he was assigned to the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force and handled a wide array of other types of investigations to include gangs, sex offenders, and fugitives. In addition, he was selected to assist the Governor’s Protective Detail with special assignments in El Paso.
In 2007, Captain Ortiz promoted to Lieutenant in the Criminal Law Enforcement Division and assigned a Criminal Intelligence Unit where he was responsible for overseeing several Sergeants assigned to investigate terrorism, gangs, sex offenders, and outlaw motorcycle gangs. After the Department reorganization, Captain Ortiz was promoted in 2010 as the first Captain in the newly restructured Criminal Investigations Division in El Paso. As the District Commander, Captain Ortiz supervised 5 Lieutenants and a civilian Program Manager. The units under his command included Drugs, Gangs, Special Investigations, and the Border Auto Theft Information Center. After nearly 8 years in El Paso, Captain Ortiz accepted a position in 2012 at CID HQ - Austin in the Assistant Director’s Office, Administration Section. In CID Administration, Captain Ortiz was responsible for overseeing the CID Training Unit, Clerical Group, and other Special Projects.
In 2013, Captain Ortiz accepted a position in the Education, Training & Research (ETR) Division – Law Enforcement Education section. In ETR, Captain Ortiz oversees the Leadership Development Unit, Professional Development Unit, and the Administrative Support Group. Captain Ortiz has taught several subjects ranging from Gangs to Leadership and is a John Maxwell certified instructor for The 360 Leader and 5 Levels of Leadership. He has attained his Master Peace Officer Certificate from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Captain Ortiz is married and has 3 children and lives in the Austin area.
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