Julia started her career with Laguna Beach Police Department. In 2011, she became the department’s Crimes Against Persons (CAP) detective and served in that role for four years. The CAP desk is responsible for investigating all felony assaults, sexual assaults, domestic violence, robbery, and homicide cases. During her tenure as a CAP detective, Julia investigated several high profile and complex cases, including the Chris Smith/Ed Shin murder (2011) and the “Dirty” John Meehan stalking case (2013).

After “Dirty” John Meehan’s death in 2016, Julia initially chose not to participate in interviews based on the threat Meehan posed and fear he instilled while he was alive, including soliciting to put out a “hit” on her while in custody following his arrest. Two years later, Oxygen/Bravo reached out and asked that Julia join a documentary about the women in Meehan’s life and Julia agreed to participate. That led to many subsequent on camera interviews, including an appearance on Dr. Phil.

In 2019, businessman Ed Shin was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Julia was interviewed by ABC 20/20 and correspondent Matt Gutman for their 20/20 episode “Cutthroat Inc.” and Gutman’s eight-episode podcast about the case that aired in February 2020.

In 2014, Julia transferred to the Seal Beach Police Department to be closer to home and family. The move required her to leave investigations and return to patrol, but it also opened the door to new opportunities. Over the course of her career, Julia has held a variety of assignments including patrol, field training officer, bike patrol, investigations, emergency services coordinator, internal affairs, hiring, training, and support services.

As a lieutenant, Julia has led the patrol, investigations, and traffic divisions; overseen the records bureau, detention center, parking enforcement, animal control services, and volunteer groups; and supervised key programs including the police canine, SWAT team, peer support/wellness, police explorers, and field training. Julia has served as the department’s Public Information Officer since 2022 and was proud to be one of the original members of the SBPD Honor Guard, formed in 2018.

Julia is passionate about police work, especially the value, purpose and service that come from helping someone who is truly in need. Despite working in many different areas of law enforcement during her tenure, Julia’s favorite years have been working as a CAP detective on complex and seemingly unsolvable cases.

Julia holds a bachelor’s degree in business management economics from UC Santa Cruz where she played four years of college basketball, and a master’s degree in emergency services administration from Cal State Long Beach. Julia is a member of POST Command College Class #71. And most importantly, she is a police wife and full-time mother of three.

In May 2023, Julia’s 5,000-word op/ed article “The Mother Cop Dilemma” was published nationally by Law Enforcement Today. The overwhelming response in support of the important topic of retention of mothers in law enforcement has led to speaking invitations at state, national and international conferences.