Glendale’s Police Chief Cid Expands Department, Increases Armenian Representation

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS: Back in December, when the city of Glendale announced its approval to hire 23 new police officers, The Armenian Report immediately posed the question that many in the local Armenian community were thinking: How many of those new hires will be Armenian?

WATCH INTERVIEW HERE:

The answer—according to Glendale’s Police Chief Manny Cid—is more than a few. In fact, the department has been steadily increasing its Armenian representation in recent months, reflecting the city’s demographics and commitment to community-based policing.

“Over the last few months, it feels like every other month we’re having a new swearing-in ceremony,” Chief Cid told The Armenian Report in an exclusive interview. “We’ve taken on more than half a dozen new young Armenian officers—many of whom were born and raised in Glendale.”

A Safe City, Getting Safer

On December 20, 2024, the Glendale City Council unanimously approved Chief Cid’s proposal to grow the department’s sworn officer ranks by 23 positions. The initiative, dubbed the Glendale Safe Initiative, aims to maintain high standards of public safety and adapt to the evolving needs of a city that has seen both residential and commercial growth over the last two decades.

“This strategic staffing initiative is vital,” Chief Cid said during his presentation to the City Council. “It ensures we can keep pace with Glendale’s growth and continue delivering the level of police services our community expects.”

The expansion will help bolster traffic safety, add more patrol officers, place additional school resource officers, and prepare for the increasing demands associated with major upcoming events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games, both of which will bring heightened security demands to the greater Los Angeles area.

The Glendale Police Department (GPD), established in 1906, currently employs around 450 staff members, including nearly 300 sworn officers. Assignments range from patrol and investigations to specialized units like SWAT, K-9, and air support. This new hiring wave is a significant investment in the future of Glendale’s public safety.

A Department That Reflects Its People

One of Chief Cid’s priorities since taking leadership of the department in 2023 has been diversifying the ranks—especially reflecting the large Armenian population that calls Glendale home.

“Now, half of my command staff is of Armenian heritage,” Cid noted. “We’ve promoted Armenian lieutenants, sergeants—including female Armenian sergeants—and line officers. We’re hiring talented people, many of whom grew up in this community and understand it deeply.”

In Glendale, where nearly 40% of residents are of Armenian descent, the presence of Armenian police officers isn't just a matter of representation—it's a bridge between the department and the people it serves.

A New Armenian Officer: From Salem Street to the Badge

One of the newest additions to the Glendale Police Department is Officer Matthew Gurlekian, a proud Armenian-American who grew up on Salem Street in Glendale and graduated from local Armenian and Catholic schools. In an emotional interview with The Armenian Report following his swearing-in ceremony, Gurlekian spoke about his journey and what the badge means to him.

WATCH INTERVIEW HERE:

“It’s very surreal,” he said. “I just want to thank God and especially my mom. I grew up in a single-parent household, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.”

Fluent in Armenian and deeply familiar with the city, Gurlekian is already thinking about the delicate balance he’ll have to maintain—between being a trusted community figure and a professional enforcing the law.

“There are pros and cons to being Armenian and working in Glendale,” he acknowledged. “People might come to me expecting special treatment—but I have a job to do. At the same time, speaking Armenian and understanding the culture can really help in high-stress situations. I can help calm people down, make them feel understood.”

His passion for serving in Glendale came with initial hesitation from his Armenian mother.

“She was hesitant, like any Armenian mom—‘you’re not going to do that!’” he laughed. “But when I told her it was Glendale, she saw how passionate I was, and she came around.”

The Broader Impact

This hiring initiative didn’t come out of nowhere. According to Chief Cid, when he took over two and a half years ago, the department had a significant staffing shortfall. Since then, the GPD has hired 37 officers, with the 23 new positions bringing the department closer to its operational goals.

“We’re hiring educated, talented people who walk that fine line between professionalism and community engagement,” Cid said. “We want the community to see themselves in us.”

The Armenian community’s increasing visibility within the department is no accident. Officers like Gurlekian bring more than bilingual skills—they bring trust, cultural awareness, and a deep investment in the community they serve.

“It’s a challenging job,” Cid added. “But it becomes a lot more rewarding when you see officers who grew up here, who went to school here, now wearing the badge and protecting the same streets.”

For new officers like Gurlekian, the job is more than just law enforcement.

“I’m excited to just drive around, get to know the city even better, and help people,” he said. “This is where I’m from. Glendale gave me so much—now it’s my turn to give back.”

Looking Ahead

The department’s message to the community is clear: Glendale is hiring—and it’s looking for people who reflect the city’s values and diversity.

“We encourage anyone in the community—including our Armenian youth—who wants to be a part of something meaningful to consider joining us,” Chief Cid said. “Come to JoinGPD.com. We want you to be part of what we’re building.”

This isn’t just about hiring more officers—it’s about building a police department that reflects and understands the people it serves. With Chief Manny Cid leading the way and new Armenian officers like Matthew Gurlekian joining the team, Glendale is showing its commitment to safety, community, and inclusion. It’s a step forward for the city and a win for everyone who calls Glendale home.

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