WS Chronicle

First Hispanic captain in recent history

Lieutenant J. “Manny” Gomez has been promoted to the rank of captain with the Winston-Salem Police Department. Gomez is the first Hispanic captain in the history of the WSPD.

“As the Chief of Police, it makes me very proud to promote Captain J. “Manny” Gomez as the first Hispanic male command staff member in the history of the Winston-Salem Police Department,” said Chief Catrina Thompson.

Captain Gomez joined the Winston-Salem Police Department in January 1999 after moving to North Carolina from his hometown of Brownsville, Texas. He has an associate degree in applied science in criminal justice from Forsyth Technical Community College, a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Gardner-Webb University, and a master of public administration from Appalachian State University. Gomez is a 2018 graduate of North Carolina State University’s Administrative Officers Management Program. He was awarded the North Carolina Criminal Justice, Education, and Training Standards Commission Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate and the Winston-Salem Police Department Officer of the Month award.

Gomez began his career with the Winston-Salem Police Department as a police cadet while he attended FTCC. He then completed the Winston-Salem Police Department Basic Law Enforcement Training, Class 46.  Gomez served in the Field Services Bureau/Patrol Division, Foot Patrol Units, and Special Operations Division. While assigned to the Special Operations Division, he served with the Street Crimes Unit and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team. In 2014, he was named the SWAT, Element Three Team Leader. Additionally, Gomez served with the Investigative Services Bureau, where he was assigned to the Special Investigations Division and Criminal Investigations Division, serving in the Vice and Narcotics and Criminal Investigations Division, respectively. He also served in the Office of the Chief of Police as a Professional Standards Division Sergeant/Investigator and staff liaison for the Chief of Police.

Gomez achieved the rank of corporal in 2006, sergeant in 2011, and lieutenant in 2017. Captain Gomez will serve as the commander of the Professional Standards Division.