Attorney General Lockyer Appoints John Gaines as Chief of the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement

(SACRAMENTO) – Attorney General Bill Lockyer today announced the appointment of John Gaines to the position of Chief of the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE), Division of Law Enforcement (DLE), effective May 1, 2004.

"Chief Gaines brings to his new assignment over 24 years of law enforcement experience," Lockyer said. "I am confident that he will provide strong leadership in the state's continuing efforts to curtail drug trafficking and violent crime."

Chief Gaines joined the California Department of Justice (DOJ) in 1991 and was assigned to the BNE Los Angeles Regional Office, and in 1994, was selected as the Special Agent of the Year. Prior to joining the DOJ, he was a police officer with the City of Azusa Police Department. His assignments included field patrol, field training officer, SWAT, detective, and field supervisor. His last four years of service there were spent assigned to a multi-agency narcotic task force.

In 1995, Chief Gaines was promoted to Special Agent Supervisor and was assigned to the BNE Fresno Regional Office. He supervised the Special Operations Unit and California Methamphetamine Strategy (CALMS) team. His last assignment at the BNE Fresno Regional Office was to design and implement the Madera County Narcotic Enforcement Team (MADNET). After the implementation of MADNET, he became the team's first task force commander.

Chief Gaines was promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the MSB Professional Standards Group (PSG) in 2000. This assignment included oversight of the Division's internal affairs unit, background unit, and litigation unit. In 2003, he was promoted to Assistant Chief of the MSB Operation Support Programs gaining extensive exposure and experience in handling complex issues impacting the DLE and DOJ.

Chief Gaines has been a Lifetime Member of the California Narcotic Officers' Association since 1995. He has an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and recently completed studies at Saint Mary's College of California, where he will be graduating with honors in June with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management.