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Staff Bio

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Chief Dennis M. Kneer Biography 800 170 SIB Staff

Chief Dennis M. Kneer Biography
Chief North Patrol Division Dennis M. Kneer

In 1991, Chief Kneer began his career with LASD. He worked in custody for six years before transferring to East Los Angeles Station as a patrol deputy and then to Lancaster station as a Field Training Officer. He worked as an FTO until 2004 when he promoted to the rank of Detective and remained at Lancaster station as a night detective.

Chief Kneer promoted to Sergeant in 2006 and served at North County Correctional Facility as a watch sergeant and building sergeant, and Palmdale station as a watch sergeant and field sergeant. In 2009, he became an Executive Aide at Custody Division Headquarters and served in that capacity for one year before promoting once again.

When he promoted to lieutenant, Chief Kneer transferred to Mira Loma Detention Center for one year and then returned to Palmdale station, serving as the Watch Commander and Operations Lieutenant.

Chief Kneer returned to Headquarters as an Executive Aide for North Patrol Division, where he remained until his promotion to the rank of Captain in 2016. At that time, he returned once more to Palmdale station.

In 2018, he promoted to the rank of Chief, overseeing North Patrol Division. He was responsible for five patrol stations in the northern region of the County, including Lancaster, Malibu/Lost Hills, Palmdale, Santa Clarita, and West Hollywood/Universal Citywalk. He also served briefly as the Sheriff’s Chief of Staff before returning to North Patrol Division.

Throughout his career, Chief Kneer has been involved in such community outreach programs as the Antelope Valley Cares Teen Summit and Community Advisory Committee. He has hosted multiple “Coffee with a Cop” functions and has assisted in the planning of National Night Out events in the city of Palmdale.

Chief Kneer has an associate degree from College of the Canyons, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of La Verne and a master’s degree in public administration from National University. He is also a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Executive Development Leadership Program and the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute of Police.

Chief Kneer is also a Sertoma Member in Leona Valley, where he resides with his wife and two teenage sons. When he is off duty, he enjoys running, reading, and boating on the Colorado River.

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Undersheriff April Tardy Biography 800 170 SIB Staff

Undersheriff April Tardy Biography
Undersheriff Tardy is wearing a tan long sleeve shirt with a black tie, badge on left side of shirt, sitting in front of a blue background.

In 1994, Undersheriff Tardy graduated from the Academy and began her LASD career at the Sybil Brand Institute for Women, where she served as a line deputy and training officer before transferring to Temple Station in 1999. There, Tardy worked patrol as well as special assignments. In 2001, she promoted to a Gang Investigator and transferred to Operation Safe Streets Bureau, at Compton Station (CPT).

In 2006, Tardy promoted to Sergeant and remained at CPT, serving as a field Supervisor, Detective Bureau Sergeant and Operations Sergeant. She promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2011 and transferred to Men’s Central Jail for two years before transferring to Carson Station. There she served as a Watch Commander as well as the Detective Lieutenant and Operations Lieutenant.

In 2015, Tardy transferred to Headquarters as an Executive Aide for Central Patrol Division, where she served for one year until she promoted to Captain of South Los Angeles Station (SLA). She served as the Unit Commander at SLA until her promotion to Commander in January 2019. Almost exactly two years later, Tardy promoted again to the rank of Chief of Central Patrol Division.

Throughout her career, Tardy has been actively involved in the communities she’s served. She has helped to organize a West Athens Peace March to address violence in the community, assisted with the organization of a Community Partnership Group within Central Patrol Division, and helped develop Crisis Intervention Worker protocol for LASD. She has also participated in multiple Walk for Life marches in South Los Angeles, contributed to the E-pal program at an elementary school, and worked with Southwest College to establish the first-ever Internship program, which includes SLA as well as CPT and Century Stations. Undersheriff Tardy has also served on the Commander Management Task Force to address violence within the jails and is responsible for attending recruitment events within Central Patrol Division’s jurisdiction.

Tardy received her bachelor’s degree from California State University- San Bernardino. She has been on the Board of Trustees for the Black Peace Officers Association since 2011 and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She has one son who plays basketball for Bethesda Christian University. In her off-duty time, she enjoys spending time with family, playing basketball and volleyball, doing home-improvement projects, mentoring, and doing community service.

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Chief Jack Ewell Bio 800 170 SIB Staff

Chief Jack Ewell Bio
Portrait of Chief Ewell in uniform

On the Department since 1980, Chief Jack Ewell began his career with the Sheriff’s Department as a deputy at Men’s Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles. After a year in custody, Ewell transferred to the now-closed Firestone station to work as both a patrol deputy and a detective.

In 1985, Ewell began his legacy at Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) when he transferred to their Special Weapons Team, where he would serve until his promotion to sergeant in 1988.

As a sergeant, Ewell served at Lynwood and East Los Angeles stations as a field sergeant and detective bureau sergeant. When he returned to SEB, he worked in various capacities, including Special Weapons Team leader, dive sergeant, and Crew Chief for rescue helicopter, Air 5.

When he promoted to lieutenant in 2009, Ewell served as the operations lieutenant at Aero Bureau and was in charge of overseeing Air 5 operations. Upon his return to SEB in 2010, his various duties included operations lieutenant, Emergency Services Detail lieutenant, and Special Enforcement Detail lieutenant.

When he promoted to the rank of Captain in 2014, Ewell maintained the helm of SEB until his next promotion in 2018. As Commander of Special Operations Division (SOD), Ewell assisted in overseeing not only SEB, but also Emergency Operations, Aero, Metrolink and Transit Services bureaus.

With his promotion to Chief in 2021, Ewell is now in charge of SOD and has the unique distinction of playing a vital role in the security of the upcoming 2022 Super Bowl and 2028 Olympic Games, both to be held in and around Los Angeles County. Special Operations Division operates county-wide and Ewell oversees many elite units that have become the gold-standard nationwide for law enforcement, emergency response and specialized tactics.

A graduate of Pepperdine University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Ewell also has several advanced training certificates from the Commission on Peace Officers Standards & Training (POST).

Throughout his career, Ewell has earned many accolades for his service, including the Department’s Medal of Valor and Gold Valor medal, as well as the Distinguished Service Medal from the Los Angeles Police Commission for his actions in assisting LAPD during the North Hollywood bank robbery. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Ewell also received multiple Combat Action ribbons and the Bronze Star for his service and actions while in the military.

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