James "Jay" Roberts

• Rank: Captain III
• Division: Rampart Division
• Email: 31381@lapd.online

Bio

Captain James “Jay” Roberts grew up in San Diego California where he attended San Diego State University before transferring to UCLA where he graduated in 1984. After college, Roberts enjoyed a career in film and television prior to joining the Department in 1993 as a line reserve officer assigned to Hollywood Division. In 1994 Roberts retired from the entertainment industry to pursue a full-time career with the LAPD.

Captain Roberts’ early career included a variety of uniformed field assignments including Field Training Officer, Senior Lead Officer; and “Hype Car.” His undercover assignments included stints in Vice and Narcotics enforcement units. Roberts received firearms instructor certifications in Department handgun, shotgun and rifle “HITS, SITS and RITS,” and has served on the Transition Teams responsible for opening the new Mission Area station in 2005, and Topanga Station in 2009.

In 2004 while assigned to Foothill Area, Roberts was assigned as the OIC of the Department’s original “War Room;” a crime fighting think tank that gave rise to many Department tactical and strategic best practices. Roberts authored the “War Room Handbook,” and is a recognized subject matter expert, having providing training to both Department personnel, as well as outside law enforcement agencies from around the globe. In 2017, Roberts traveled to Chicago in support of the “Chicago Project,” aimed at impacting Chicago’s violent crime challenges.

Roberts’ most recent assignments included the Foothill Area Gang Impact Team Officer-in-Charge, followed by three years as the Adjutant to the First Assistant Chief and the Director of the Office of Operations. As Captain, Roberts has enjoyed assignments to both Pacific and Wilshire areas.  In February 2022, Captain Roberts was assigned as the Commanding Officer of Rampart Area.

Roberts is a graduate of the FBI National Academy class #259, and enjoys tennis with his wife and spending time with his daughter.