Travis Martinez
Named Investigators Association’s Officer of the Year

Redlands Deputy Police Chief Travis Martinez was honored as Officer of the Year by the California Robbery Investigators Association at the organization’s 50th Annual Conference, held Feb. 16 in Reno, Nev. In bestowing the award, CRIA President Richard T. Long, a retired Newport Beach Police detective, first noted Deputy Chief Martinez’s efforts to develop the Redlands Police Department’s GPS tracker program to leverage technology in investigating and preventing crime. In 2011, in order to address a significant increase in the number of vehicle burglaries in the community at a time when the department’s sworn personnel had been reduced by 22 percent due to the lingering effects of the 2008 recession, the RPD developed an effective and affordable GPS tracking program. Partnering with local residents and businesses, the department began deploying small GPS devices discreetly hidden inside items likely to be targeted by thieves. When the item is moved it activates the GPS device and immediately sends an alert to dispatchers and officers’ smartphones, allowing police to track the device’s direction and speed of travel.  The department experienced immediate success and since the initial deployment, RPD has expanded the use of the technology to address every crime trend occurring in the community, resulting in hundreds of arrests for crimes including armed robbery, vehicle burglary, bike theft, laptop theft, metal and wire theft, vending machine theft, tire theft, construction site theft, parcel theft and even the theft of memorial items left at gravesites at Hillside Memorial Park cemetery. As a result, vehicle burglary crimes were initially reduced by 34% from 2010 to 2014.  “But that’s not why we’re here telling this story about this fine peace officer,” Long said. On Sept. 11, 2021, Martinez was off-duty, after attending a football game at the University of Redlands, when he received a tracker alert. Two armed men had robbed the Shell gas station at Alabama Street and Industrial Park Avenue. The tracker indicated the suspects were at an apartment complex close to Martinez’s location. Martinez responded to the location and joined the RPD sergeant on scene in pursuit of the suspects. “Chief Martinez, wearing … shorts and highly un-tactical flip flops, called … ‘I’m behind you, let’s go!’” Long said. “Travis located and ran down one of the suspects and using a maneuver from his football days at the University of Redlands, he tackled the robber.” Both suspects were taken into custody. Early in the morning of Nov. 29, 2021, Martinez was again off-duty when he received a tracker alert of an armed robbery at a Unocal gas station on Parkford Avenue. Dispatchers followed the tracker’s movement and provided information to officers over the radio. At the same time, Martinez followed in his unmarked police vehicle. As the suspects traveled east on Interstate 10 with RPD officers trying to catch up, the pursuit was eventually called off due to poor radio reception and safety concerns. Martinez continued to follow the tracker until it stopped at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage. Martinez eventually was able to identify a suspect and confirmed that his movements matched those of the tracker. Martinez approached the suspect and told him he was looking for Casino Morongo. He offered to pay the suspect to lead him to the nearby casino. As the suspect drove, Martinez followed and coordinated with Riverside County Sheriff’s deputies who took the suspect into custody in Cabazon before turning him over to Redlands Police for booking on armed robbery charges. “This was all in a day’s work for Travis Martinez,” said Long as he presented the award. Accepting the award “on behalf of the entire Redlands Police Department,” Deputy Chief Martinez credited the effectiveness of the GPS program to the cohesiveness of the entire RPD team working together to innovatively address crime in the community.  From the identification of crime trends, deployment of the devices, dispatching of alert information and direction of travel, follow-up investigative work, crime scene processing, and the processing of related crime reports, the sworn and professional staff of RPD, including volunteers, all contribute to the overall success of the program in apprehending those intent on committing retail crimes, he noted.  “Since 2011, specialized GPS technology has allowed the RPD to be put in direct contact with hundreds of criminals and to hold them accountable for the crimes they have committed, all while allowing officers the tactical advantage of remaining safe during apprehension,” Martinez said. “The Redlands Police Department is committed to enhancing public safety through technology and community partnerships, and the recognition of our GPS program reinforces the value in our ongoing efforts.”  PHOTO CAPTION: Redlands Police Deputy Chief Travis Martinez, right, accepts the Officer of the Year award from California Robbery Investigators Association President Richard T. Long at the organization’s 50th Annual Conference Feb. 16. Anyone with information regarding crime or suspicious activity is asked to contact Redlands Police Dispatch at (909) 798-7681 ext. 1. Certain non-emergency crimes may also be reported online using the Redlands Police Department’s CopLogic reporting system at www.cityofredlands.org/report-crime. Suspicious activity and tips can be reported using the City of Redlands 311 mobile app available for Android, iPhones, and iPads. Redlands Police press releases and other information are available on the Redlands Police Department Facebook page at www.facebook.com/redlandspolicedepartment or on the Department website at https://www.cityofredlands.org/police. For more local news and information click here.