Candidate for
Council Member; City of Huntington Beach

Jim Katapodis was born and raised in Northern California. He is happily married and has two daughters, one stepdaughter, and one stepson. Recently added to the family are an 11-month old grandson and a 10-week old granddaughter. At a young age, Jim joined the boy scouts where he ultimately became a Police Explorer. It was then he realized his calling to become a police officer.

In 1978 Jim joined the Los Angeles Police Department, where he is now a Sergeant supervising instructors at the Police Academy. Jim's distinguished career with the LAPD has been marked by various awards and recognitions, the most recent being a recipient of the 2012 Employee of the Year Award for the LAPD. He also received a State of California Senate Commendation for risking his life to save a police helicopter pilot from a helicopter crash.

Jim is well-recognized in the law enforcement community. He is serving as a board member of the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club and as the Race Director for the Baker to Vegas Challenge Cup Relay. He is a member of the Peace Officer Standards and Training Audit Team that conducts audits on all police academies in the state of California. He has testified on both State and Federal levels as an expert witness for law enforcement-related civil trials involving Police Policies and Procedures, including Use of Force. Jim served as the Sergeant-at-arms for the Los Angeles City Council and was present during their regular and committee meetings, where he gained valuable knowledge on the workings of the City Council. Jim is also a Police Academy instructor at Rio Hondo College.

Jim moved to Huntington Beach in 1990, where he had the opportunity to be an Assistant Track and Field Coach at Ocean View High School for their Boys and Girls Track teams. Presently, he is a member of the Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Kiwanis Club where he serves as an adviser for one of the Ocean View High School Key Clubs. He is also the President of the Golden West Neighborhood Association, as well as Vice President of the Westminster Community Theater. Jim has also done some acting (you might have seen him on several episodes of some TV shows like "Southland," and if you're an "oldtimer" like he is -- "Hunter," and Discovery Channel's "Health Challenge").

Jim's hobbies are fishing, acting and directing plays in community theaters, and is, of course, an avid sports fan. He is retiring from the LAPD in a few short months. Jim has found personal fulfillment in being a public servant, and with your vote, wants to continue giving back to our community. Elect Jim Katapodis for Huntington Beach City Council.