Specialized Divisions Reserve Officer of the Year: Bernard Khalili
Major Crimes Division nominates Reserve Officer Bernard Khalili for Reserve Officer of the Year — he proudly serves within the Major Crimes Dignitary Protection Unit.
In 2024, Reserve Officer Khalili continued his mission, initiated in 2021, to foster a partnership for public safety cooperation between the Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. He navigated complex layers of interagency coordination and international bureaucracy in pursuit of an unprecedented agreement between the Los Angeles Police Department and the French government. This agreement ultimately authorized a delegation of LAPD officers to serve — on duty, armed and in full police uniform — during the Paris Olympic Games. This marked an extraordinary milestone never before achieved by any U.S. municipal law enforcement agency. A contingent of 30 reserve officers was deployed to support France’s Olympic security efforts at no additional cost to the Department. They performed their duties with dedication, professionalism and distinction, earning the heartfelt appreciation of the French nation.
Reserve Officer Khalili’s collaboration efforts included coordinating four simultaneous official LAPD missions to oversee reserve officer deployment across five regions, while continuing to support both the LAPD Strategic Planning Group and the LA28 operations.
Upon his return, Reserve Officer Khalili submitted a record 290 volunteer hours during a single deployment period — a milestone in dedicated service.
In recognition of his contribution to the safety and success of the Games, Reserve Officer Khalili was honored with France’s National Medal of Courage and Devotion by the Ministry of Interior. In October 2024, Reserve Officer Khalili traveled to Washington, D.C., to represent the LAPD, where he was recognized by both the French ambassador to the U.S. and the U.S. undersecretary of Homeland Security. In November of that same year, he helped facilitate the travel of LAPD SWAT and FBI HRT teams to Paris, where they were briefed regarding Olympic security operations.
Reserve Officer Khalili has continued his regular patrol duties in Hollywood and has actively supported numerous details and community events.
Reserve Officer Khalili’s unwavering dedication and commitment to serving the citizens and communities of Los Angeles and abroad deserves this recognition.
Central Bureau Reserve Officer of the Year: Ghanshyam Patel
Operations–Central Bureau (OCB) has nominated Central Area Reserve Officer Ghanshyam Patel for the Operations–Central Bureau Reserve Officer of the Year.
Reserve Officer Patel joined the Los Angeles Police Department on April 19, 2014, as a Reserve Officer Level III. On November 25, 2014, Reserve Officer Patel received his Level II status, and on October 26, 2016, he received his Level I status. Upon graduating, he was assigned to Central Area, where he has been working for the past seven years.
Reserve Officer Patel has worked various assignments, including patrol, completing investigative reports at the front desk and the Central Area Community Relations Office. He has assisted with community events throughout the years, such as Tip a Cop, Special Olympics, Open House, National Night Out, Baker to Vegas, community parades and several other special events in the Central Area. Reserve Officer Patel is currently assigned to the Central Area Community Relations Unit, where he assists Central Area senior lead officers in community-related quality-of-life issues, patrol and community events.
He is dependable, knowledgeable and tenacious, takes initiative and does not hesitate to volunteer for community events. He is a diligent reserve officer who has worked above the required minimum shift during his tenure at Central Area and is an asset to the people he serves. He certainly deserves our Reserve Officer of the Year honors and is Twice a Citizen.
Valley Bureau Reserve Officer of the Year: Stephen Whitelaw
West Valley Area has selected Reserve Police Officer Stephen Whitelaw as our Reserve Officer of the Year.
Reserve Officer Whitelaw joined the Los Angeles Police Department Reserve Corps in 1979. He transitioned to a full-time sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department in 1982, where he continued to serve the citizens of Los Angeles for the next 33 years. During his long and successful career, he also oversaw the West Valley Area reserve program as the reserve coordinator. Officer Whitelaw transitioned back to the Reserve Corps upon his retirement in 2012. Since that time, he has donated countless hours of volunteer service to the Los Angeles Police Department and to the citizens of Los Angeles.
Reserve Officer Whitelaw has been assigned to the West Valley Area Community Relations Office, where he works numerous community events throughout the year. His community involvement greatly reduces the number of patrol officers who need to be removed from regular patrol deployment. He is appreciated for his teamwork, positive work ethic, reliability and outstanding commitment to the community he serves. He is always willing to volunteer, and this is just one of the many reasons he is so deeply respected by his peers.
He brings a calm, mature and thoughtful approach to everything he does. Reserve Officer Whitelaw continues, even after all these years, to be enthusiastic about the Los Angeles Police Department reserve program and continually strives to improve his efficiency as a police officer. With his 40 years of service, he has a wealth of knowledge, training and experience that he willingly shares with everyone at West Valley. Reserve Officer Whitelaw exemplifies what a reserve officer should be. His dedication, professionalism and experience make him an asset to this organization and worthy of recognition as our Reserve Officer of the Year.
South Bureau Reserve Officer of the Year: Eduardo Cuevas
Reserve Officer Frank Camello commenced his dedicated service to the Los Angeles Police Department on October 28, 1991. Since his assignment to Harbor Area on February 5, 1992, Reserve Officer Camello has tirelessly served the Harbor community for over 32 years, embodying the essence of selfless commitment and unwavering dedication.
Throughout his tenure, Reserve Officer Camello has actively participated in a myriad of community events, including Christmas events, carnivals and street patrols, consistently demonstrating his steadfast devotion to fostering positive relationships within the community. His presence has been a source of reassurance and support, significantly contributing to the safety and well-being of Harbor residents.
Reserve Officer Camello’s exemplary service has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the 13 commendations he has earned during his tenure at Harbor Area. His exceptional performance, professionalism and dedication to duty serve as a testament to his outstanding character and unwavering commitment to excellence. Reserve Officer Camello epitomizes the qualities of leadership, commitment to service and dedication to community that are the hallmark of the Los Angeles Police Department. His exemplary conduct and tireless efforts make him an invaluable asset to the Department and a source of inspiration to his colleagues.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions and exemplary representation of the Los Angeles Police Department, Reserve Officer Frank Camello is a deserving candidate for the South Bureau Reserve of the Year and serves as a shining example of the Department’s core values.
West Bureau Reserve Officer of the Year: Edwin Bardales
Pacific Area is proud to nominate Reserve Police Officer I Edwin Bardales as our Reserve Officer of the Year.
Reserve Officer Bardales proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an aviation electronics technician prior to joining the Los Angeles Police Department. His military service provided him with valuable skills, which he has applied to his law enforcement reserve career.
Reserve Officer Bardales began his service with the Los Angeles Police Department in June 2021. After completing his Academy training and graduating in June 2022, he was assigned to the North Hollywood Area, where he worked in patrol and took on additional responsibilities by volunteering for extra shifts at Valley Traffic Division, demonstrating his dedication to public safety.
In December 2023, Reserve Officer Bardales transferred to Pacific Area, where he successfully completed his field training probation. This transition represented a significant milestone in his career, enhancing his skills and broadening his experience in law enforcement.
In addition to his regular duties, Reserve Officer Bardales remains actively involved in his community. He participates in a variety of events and initiatives, including the LAPD Pacific Area’s annual Boosters Carnival, Pacific Cadet program and West Los Angeles and Chinatown footbeats, where he fosters positive relationships between law enforcement and the public. He has also contributed to recruiting future reserve officers by participating in reserve recruitment events such as the L.A. Auto Show. More recently, he provided crime suppression support during the Palisades fire, assisting with emergency response efforts and helping to ensure public safety.
Throughout his career, Reserve Officer Bardales has shown a strong commitment to his work, consistently going above and beyond to serve and support his community. He is certainly Twice a Citizen.