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).

In 2014, Julia transferred to Seal Beach Police Department to be closer to home and family. With the move to SBPD, she necessarily had to leave investigations and move back into patrol. In her career, Julia has worked in various assignments including patrol, field training officer, bike patrol, investigations, emergency services coordinator, internal affairs, hiring, training, and support services. Julia currently serves as the Operations Bureau Lieutenant. She oversees the patrol, investigations, and traffic divisions; supervises the Canine and SWAT programs; works as the department Public Information Officer; and proudly serves as an Honor Guard team member.

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.

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.