Chief Joe Cartwright is a retired law enforcement professional with 26 years of progressive experience in law enforcement. He began his career at the Los Angeles Police Department before joining the Newport Beach Police Department, where he advanced from police officer and detective—specializing in crimes against persons—to Patrol Sergeant, Internal Affairs Sergeant, and Patrol Lieutenant. He then progressed through the executive ranks, serving as Executive Officer to the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of the Detective Division, and Chief of Police. As Chief of Police at Newport Beach, he oversaw a department of 260+ personnel with a $74 million budget. Chief Cartwright championed significant technological advancements that positioned the Department as an industry leader. He instituted advanced software systems to track complaints, uses of force, workplace accidents, and civil liability cases, thereby enhancing accountability and decision-making. He implemented the Department’s first real-time crime center, deployed citywide rapid response automated drones enabling response within two minutes, and installed license plate reader cameras for enhanced investigative capabilities. Additionally, he procured a state-of-the-art virtual reality use-of-force training system to benefit officer safety, improve decision-making, and reduce liability.
Prior to his law enforcement career, Chief Cartwright served in the United States Marine Corps Security Forces Battalion, with two deployments during Operation Desert Storm as part of the Close Quarters Battle team. He currently serves as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Newport Beach 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Foundation. Chief Cartwright holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management, equipping him with both practical law enforcement expertise and the advanced management skills necessary for executive-level leadership.
“I am really, really impressed. I am impressed at the exhaustiveness of your study, impressed at the honesty and candor with which you expressed your findings; I am very impressed at the constructive tone of it, and that you came in under budget as well. So, thank you very much. I think that this document is going to be a cornerstone for us really moving forward for the next five, ten, twenty [years], half a century.”
Salt Lake City Council Meeting
“I think Citygate has done a great job. It seems like you’ve been most thorough and even-handed in your evaluations and you’ve given us certainly a lot of suggestions and guidelines to work with.”
City of Vista, CA
“Thank you so much for all you have done. And it’s so comprehensive, I know it’s going to take a while for us to digest it all, but I think you’ve come up with some really good recommendations.”
Pro Tempore City of Vista, CA
“I really want to express my appreciation for this work that’s been done in a collaborative way in which the study was put together. . . . I’ve seen a number of studies start in the fire department and this is the first one I can remember that has actually been fully completed and brought to the council, and it was done in a very thorough fashion. This is the best assemblage of comprehensive information about the fire department today, as well as what our needs might be in the future, that I have seen. So thanks to everyone. Thank you, Stewart, for giving us our money’s worth on our consultant contract with you.”
City Manager City of San Luis Obispo
“[Stu Gary’s] knowledge, expertise, and demeanor were invaluable in our efforts to ferret out a fair agreement with the City. I could go on and on about Stu, but you already know all of the superlatives.”
AAE, General Manager Monterey Regional Airport
“Thank you so much for this training. This was the best PIO training I’ve ever received.”
S-403 Information Officer class participant
