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Det. Andy Pinvidic

Det. Andy Pinvidic

Westminster Police Department

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Det. Andy's work combines: Armed Services, Government, and Helping People

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Day In The Life

Auto Theft Detective

I handle all investigations that relate to vehicle theft and vehicle burglary in Westminster.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Associate's Degree

    Coastline Community College

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration

    Union University

  • Graduate Degree

    Organizational Leadership

    Brandman University

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Detectives and Criminal Investigators:

High School

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's Degree: Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration

Graduate Degree: Organizational Leadership

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life took a while to figure out

  • 1.

    As a teenager, I was a high school dropout.

  • 2.

    When I was 18, I did a ride-along with a cop and knew that was what I wanted to do with my life.

  • 3.

    I had a few years to kill before I turned 21, so I joined the Marines. Best decision I ever made.

  • 4.

    My recruiter told me to go back to school and finish up my diploma before I started my service.

  • 5.

    I spent 8 years as an MP at Camp Pendleton; it was great preparation for becoming a police officer.

  • 6.

    Came home, completed my AA, bachelor's, and recently, master's degree; started working on the force.

  • 7.

    On a personal note, becoming a father was the biggest highlight of my life; it gave me purpose.

  • 8.

    Recently, I decided to say "yes" to more opportunities, even if they take me out of my comfort zone.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Myself:

    I can't succeed at this.

  • How I responded:

    Even though I've had a great support system throughout my life, that negative voice is always there, trying to hold me back or making excuses as to why I shouldn't pursue a new challenge or opportunity. But I've decided that failure's okay as long as I put aside my fears and try new things. This new perspective has led me to do amazing things, like get my master's degree, and coach my daughter's soccer and son's football teams. At the end of my life, I want to have left everything on the field.