Duane Hayakawa was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1961 and was raised in the city of Downey where he graduated from Downey High School in 1979. He received his Associate of Arts degree from Cerritos College, his Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from the California State University at Fullerton, and his Master of Business Administration degree from the California State University at Long Beach. He joined the Department in 1988 and has worked a variety of patrol and administrative assignments. He is also a graduate of the Supervisory Leadership Institute, West Point Leadership Program, and the FBI National Academy. He is married to his wife, Leticia, and performs volunteer work in his community in his spare time.