Harold Holmes has been the Executive Assistant for The County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control since 2016.  Prior, he was a Deputy Director for the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services and before that retired as a Chief of Police in northern California.

Harold is a former U.S. Marine who was recalled to active duty for the Gulf War.

A hostage negotiator and police canine handler of an award-winning patrol dog at Redlands P.D., when he retired from police work, he began a new career as an animal control officer.    While at San Diego County Animal Services, he developed the Responsible Pet Ownership Program for animal-law violators, which won an award from the California State Association of Counties.  He has experience drafting and shepherding legislation that became law at both the State and local level.

Managing San Diego County’s Dangerous Dog Task Force for three years inspired him to attend law school.  Harold graduated as the Valedictorian from Western Sierra Law School and was admitted to the Bar in June 2013.  He is also a hearing officer, a trained mediator and teaches a variety of legal and law-enforcement related topics.

He has completed management and executive level trainings, including the County of Los Angeles/USC Executive Leadership Development Program.