Denise began her career in law enforcement as a Reserve Police Officer with the Santa Paula Police Department. In 1996, she was hired by the Oxnard Police Department as a Police Officer. She has served as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, K9 Handler, Sexual Assault/Child Crimes Detective, Narcotics Detective, a member of the Honor Guard, and a member of the Trauma Support Team.
In 2013, Denise was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. As a sergeant, Denise worked in the Field Services Bureau as a Patrol Sergeant and in the Administrative Services Bureau as an Internal Affairs Sergeant.
In 2017, Denise was promoted to the rank of Commander. She served in the Field Services Bureau as a Patrol Watch Commander and as the Patrol Support Division Commander, overseeing the Traffic Unit, Booking Unit, Community Service Officers, Animal Safety Unit, and all special events. In 2020, Denise was selected as the Professional Standards Division Commander, where she managed the Internal Affairs Unit, the Personnel and Training Unit, and the Department’s Peer Support Team.
In 2021, Denise was promoted to Assistant Police Chief. As an Assistant Police Chief, she has led the Field Services Bureau and the Investigative and Administrative Services Bureaus.
Denise volunteers her time as a mentor with the Oxnard Police Activities League and the United Way of Ventura County Women United Program. She also serves as a board member of Soroptimist International of Oxnard. Denise is a former executive board member of the DRAGG Youth Automotive Program.
Denise was raised in the city of Oxnard. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Kaplan University and a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.