Meet Glenn Trujillo: State’s longest serving lieutenant

May 28, 2024

Glenn Trujillo has worked for the department since 1975.

For nearly a half century, Glenn Trujillo has helped the department fulfill its public safety mission.

Today, Trujillo is a lieutenant at Calipatria State Prison but his career with CDCR began in 1975 on a work experience program through Chaffey College. As a student, he observed nightly duties at California Institution for Men at Pine Hall. While there, he was paired with a correctional officer or counselor. Trujillo asked questions about job tasks while earning work experience at the same time.

When he started with the department, there were 12 institutions in California.

He was promoted to lieutenant in 1991, making him California’s longest serving lieutenant in terms of seniority.

Inside CDCR caught up with Trujillo to discuss his long career and changes he’s seen over five decades with the department.

A conversation with Glenn Trujillo, longtime CDCR employee

Why did you choose to join the department?

I initially was planning on getting into probation, parole, or CHP. At that time, those positions required two years of experience in law enforcement, so I applied to corrections. I then was hired at California Rehabilitation Center (CRC) in Norco in 1976.

What it was like for a new correctional officer in the 1970s?

Aged lieutenant badge worn by Glenn Trujillo. — Trujillo’s badge shows some signs of wear.

At CRC, we were required to start working for approximately six to nine months. When openings occurred, we were sent to the two-week academy in Modesto. During my first days at CRC, we were sometimes only given a radio, keys, and were checked on periodically by an officer assigned in the next dorm.

I can remember an inmate reminding me to conduct the count as he waited on his dorm bed. He recognized I wasn’t aware of my full daily duties.

I had a break in service in 1978 and re-hired in 1981, again at Norco. Again, I attended another two-week academy, this time at CRC. I was assigned to the women’s unit on the hill for approximately two years. This assignment was instrumental in sharpening my skills as a correctional officer. Subsequently, I moved back down to the men’s unit at CRC.

In what institutions and positions have you worked?

I promoted to sergeant at California Men’s Colony in 1986 and stayed there for my one-year commitment. Then in 1987, I transferred to California Institution for Men Chino. ln December 1991, I promoted to lieutenant at Calipatria State Prison. I initially was only planning on staying there for a year and somehow got used to it.

During my stay at Calipatria, I have had the opportunity to work in just about all areas and watches in a lieutenant position, except the Staff Assignment Lieutenant and Public Information Officer. I was even part of the original seven supervisors who started the Calipatria Special Emergency Response Team.

How has the workforce changed in the last 50 years?

ln the 1970s, state correctional officers had just received peace officer status. There was a big push for affirmative action as the department was predominately men with height and weight restrictions. With the push for females in all areas of law enforcement, those restrictions were soon eliminated. That’s when minorities and females were brought into the department.

ln the early 1980s, CRC was considered a narcotic addict program prison and all inmates there were assigned an N number. Because of the N number programs, we were not required to wear a uniform and could wear our own civilian clothing to work. On Friday and Saturday nights, during third watch, you could always tell which staff were going out after work as they were usually dressed to impress with plans of heading down to the night clubs or parties after the work shift.

ln the early ‘80s, the department started establishing Special Emergency Response Teams (SERT) to help control violence and possible hostage situations. Back then, there were riots happening in various institutions throughout the country.

What are some memorable moments from your career?

I would have to say three of my most memorable accomplishments in my career with CDCR would be receiving the Departments Silver Star in 1994, recognized as supervisor of the year in 2023 at Calipatria, and becoming number one in the entire state of California for lieutenants in seniority in 2022.

What are some major changes you’ve seen in CDCR?

The most memorable changes have been when CDCR went from hard copies of the inmates’ C files to electronic files on the Strategic Offender Management Systems (SOMS). But most of all, the implementation of computers throughout the state. Who can even remember when everything was done by typewriters and carbon paper? Also, the COVID years brought on change within the department.

To what do you attribute your CDCR longevity?

I often wonder why I have stuck around for so long but as I have heard it said on many occasions, “If you love your job, you will not work a day of your life.” I have had the opportunity to work with so many great staff over the years, I have found it difficult to walk away from this position. Not to mention, letting somebody have my seat at my desk.

Warden W.L. Montgomery once told me I was going for my second 30 years. This, along with my special hobbies, have kept me going.

What hobbies do you have outside of work?

I enjoy long-distance running, which is more like jogging at my age, snow skiing, and contributions to my grandson’s God-given talented of skiing and travel baseball. Anybody who has ever experienced the last two, such as snow skiing, know it has become a rich man’s sport. It would be pretty hard to do on a fixed income like being retired. So, I find myself working a lot of overtime to continue my playtime.

Snow skiing is my true passion, and there is nothing better than experiencing the beauty of nature coming down a double diamond mountain top run with the fresh snow blanketing the surrounding mountains. The San Bernardino mountains have been my after-hours playground for over 50 years.

But most of all, I can thank nobody else but my belief in God for allowing my longevity in what is now known as CDCR and the support of my endeavors to happen.

Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
and Lt. Efren Uribe, Calipatria State Prison