Riverside, Ca- Chief Russ Leach is pleased to announce the promotion of Sergeant Brian Baitx to the rank of Lieutenant.

Lieutenant Baitx began is law enforcement career as a Riverside Police Officer in August 1979 after working 3 years at the Orange Police Department. He performed duties as a Field Training Officer, School Resource Officer, and Department Training Officer. He was a member of the Metro Team (SWAT), and SCAT (Street Criminal Apprehension Team).

Lieutenant Baitx was promoted to the rank of Detective in April 1989 and assigned to the Special Investigations Bureau serving in the Major Narcotic Unit, Asset Forfeiture Unit, Criminal Intelligence Unit and Personnel and Training.

In October 2000 Lieutenant Baitx was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and served as a Patrol Supervisor and General Investigations Economic Crime Unit Supervisor. He was most recently assigned to the Office of the Chief Personnel and Training Unit supervising recruitment and background investigations.

Lieutenant Baitx promotion was effective May 20, 2005. He has assumed duties as a Patrol Division Watch Commander.

Lieutenant Baitx is a Lifetime member of the California Narcotic Officer’s Association, and a past board member of the Southern California Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigator’s Association. He has instructed for the California District Attorney’s Association and California Department of Justice on the subject of financial investigations and money laundering.

Lieutenant Baitx is married and has three adult children.