Command Staff
Meet the Command Staff for the West Covina Police Department.
Antonio Cortina
Chief of Police
Antonio “Tony” Cortina started his career as a police officer with the San Marino Police Department in 1997. In 1999, he lateraled to the West Covina Police Department. As an officer, he worked patrol, became a police K9 handler, and worked as a detective with the Department’s Special Enforcement Team (SET). Soon after, Tony was promoted to the rank of corporal and became a field training officer (FTO) and eventually was assigned as the Department’s training manager, responsible for department-wide training.
Tony was then promoted to the rank of sergeant. As a sergeant, Tony worked patrol, supervised the major narcotics unit, the detective bureau, and the professional standards unit. Tony was also assigned to be the chief’s adjunct.
Upon being promoted to the rank of lieutenant, Tony served as a watch commander, was assigned a service area of the City to oversee and manage the Department’s canine unit and jail operations. Tony was then promoted to captain in 2021 and oversaw the patrol division.
Tony was sworn in as West Covina’s 14th police chief in 2025. During his career, Tony served 19 years on SWAT (8 years as a team leader), was a defensive tactics instructor for 24 years, and has taught defensive tactics and use of force, not only within the Department but also nationally and internationally. Tony also holds several black belt rankings in various martial arts and has been inducted into two martial arts hall of fame organizations. Tony was a recipient of the Department Bronze Star and other several meritorious citations.
Chief Tony Cortina has a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership from Penn State University and has completed his master’s degree in law enforcement and public safety leadership from the University of San Diego. He is also the recipient of the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award, he is a California Office of Emergency Services (OES) state-certified emergency management specialist and a graduate of the POST Supervisory Leadership Institute.
Brandon Karmann
Captain
Brandon Karmann grew up in West Covina and began his path in law enforcement as an Explorer with the California Highway Patrol – Baldwin Park Station. He later served as an intern and cadet with the Arcadia Police Department, gaining early experience in public safety.
In 2003, Brandon officially began his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Arcadia Police Department. Three years later, in 2006, he transferred to the West Covina Police Department, where he has built a distinguished career. Over the years, he has served in a variety of specialized roles, including Special Enforcement Team (SET) member, robbery detective, homicide detective, administrative sergeant, and administrative lieutenant. Most recently, he served as the lieutenant overseeing the Detective Bureau.
Beyond his core responsibilities, Brandon has contributed to the department as an Explorer advisor and as a member of the Less Lethal Cadre. In recognition of his dedication and outstanding service, he was honored as the West Covina Police Department’s Officer of the Year in 2015.
Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of La Verne, where he also played on the men’s soccer team. He earned his master’s degree from Arizona State University in 2014.
Keith Freeman
Captain
Keith Freeman began his public service career in 2003 as a law enforcement officer with the Covina Police Department (CPD). During his time at CPD, he worked patrol, served as a Less-Than-Lethal Instructor, and was an Operator on the department’s Special Response Team.
In 2006, Captain Freeman lateraled to the West Covina Police Department (WCPD), where he has served in a variety of roles, including patrol, the Special Enforcement Team (SET), and as a Detective investigating burglaries. Over the years, he has held numerous instructor certifications, including Range Master, Less-Than-Lethal Instructor, Chemical Agents Instructor, and Diversionary Device Trainer. He has also been a long-time member of WCPD’s SWAT Team.
Promoted to Corporal in 2012, Captain Freeman served as a Field Training Officer before returning to the Detective Bureau. In 2015, he was promoted to Sergeant, where he supervised patrol operations, the Property Crimes Unit, and the Special Enforcement Team. He attained the rank of Lieutenant in 2020, serving as a Shift Supervisor and overseeing one of the department’s four City Service Areas. He later took on the role of Administrative Lieutenant, overseeing the Professional Standards Unit.
Captain Freeman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from California State University, Fullerton. He completed postgraduate studies in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership at the University of San Diego and successfully earned the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Award for completing the FBI-LEEDA leadership series.
In August 2025, Captain Freeman was promoted to the rank of Captain and currently serves as the Patrol Division Captain for the West Covina Police Department.