The Santa Barbara Police Department is proud to announce the promotion of three sworn law enforcement officers.

Chief Bernard Melekian promoted Brian Miller from sergeant to lieutenant, and Detective Nathan Beltran and Detective Andre Miller both to sergeant.  

Congratulating those promoted, Melekian stated, “Leadership is an opportunity to serve the men and women of the Santa Barbara Police Department and the community of Santa Barbara. It is not a trumpet call to self-importance. Lieutenant Miller, Sergeant Beltran, and Sergeant Miller reflect that ethic in all that they do which is why they are being promoted.”   

Lt. Brian Miller:

Brian Miller was born and raised in Paramount, California. He attended UC Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in law & society and history.

Hired by the Santa Barbara Police Department in 2005, Miller has worked in many assignments including patrol officer, special enforcement team officer, narcotics detective, and K-9 handler with his partner Loki.

In 2012, Miller received the H. Thomas Guerry Award for Valor for his role in the apprehension of a violent fugitive.

He was also a member of the Special Weapons & Tactics team for 11 years, serving several different roles including FTO and team leader.

In 2019. Miller was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and has worked in multiple assignments, including special events supervisor, patrol supervisor, and the training and hiring supervisor.

Sgt. Nathan Beltran:

Nate Beltran grew up in Oxnard, California. After graduating high school, he served four years active duty in the U.S. Air Force, receiving an honorable discharge at the rank of senior airman.

Immediately after the Air Force, Beltran was hired by the Santa Barbara Police Department in 2008, where he worked as a patrol officer for four years. His first specialty assignment was the Gang Suppression Team, followed by field training officer, then was assigned to the Special Enforcement Team.

He was selected as a detective assigned to the Investigative Division in 2020, specializing in narcotics and gang investigations.

He has been a member of the Special Weapons & Tactics Team for the last 10 years as a team leader. Beltran also obtained his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice management in 2015. 

Sgt. Andre Miller:

Andre Miller attended Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles. In 2007 he obtained a bachelor’s degree in business management and human resources.

While attending Loyola Marymount, Miller was a member of their baseball team. In 2007, Miller was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, where he had a professional career as a minor league baseball player.

Prior to becoming a police officer, Miller was a risk manager for Koosharem Corp., and a professional baseball scout for the St. Louis Cardinals.

In 2014, Miller joined the Santa Barbara Police Department, where he initially served as a patrol officer, and collaterally as a negotiator for our Crisis Negotiation Response Team.

In 2018, Miller became a detective in the Criminal Investigations Division, first serving the community of Santa Barbara in the Property Crimes Unit, and for the last four years as a detective in the Major Crimes Unit, where he investigated and led numerous homicide investigations.

Since 2018, Miller has been an instructor at the Allan Hancock College Public Safety Training Center for aspiring law enforcement trainees in Lompoc.