Rich joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1970, following service at the Pasadena Police Department as a Police Cadet, and at the Monterey Park Police Department as a Reserve Police Officer in the late 1960’s. At the Los Angeles Police Department, Rich worked various operational, specialized and training assignments, promoting to sergeant, lieutenant and captain. As a lieutenant, he supervised a number of specialized units within the LAPD, including duties as the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Terrorist Division's Investigative Unit during the 1984 Summer Olympic Games, the Hollywood Vice Unit, the Los Angeles International Airport Detail and the Asian Crime Investigation Unit.

As a police captain, Rich has been the commanding officer of the Rampart and Northeast Patrol Divisions, Central Traffic Division, Training Division, Wilshire Detective Division and Van Nuys, West Los Angeles and Wilshire Community Police Stations.  In 2008, he retired after 40 years of dedicated law enforcement service.

Rich is recognized as a pioneer in law enforcement officer safety and tactics training.  In 1974, he started to review critical incidents, especially officer-involved shootings where officers were wounded and killed. He created the “Officer-Involved-Shooting” series at LAPD and was responsible for the videotaped re-enactment of over 20 officer-involved shooting incidents. He pioneered the inclusion of interviews with the surviving peace officers, to maximize the impact of lessons learned. Rich also developed the “Officer-Down” course for first responders, supervisors and command officers.

Rich has authored numerous articles on the murders of peace officers and received awards, commendations and letters from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. His training contributions are recognized nationwide for preventing peace officer deaths; and making the critical difference during a violent encounter.

Rich serves on the committee that studies the assaults, murders, and accidental deaths of California Peace Officers (California Peace Officer Standards and Training, Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted--POST LEOKA Committee).  As a senior LEOKA Committee member, Rich has examined the assaults and deaths of hundreds of peace officers and participated as a subject matter expert in the publication of LEOKA Reports and POST television courses. He created the POST Critical Incident Review Report program to benefit law enforcement personnel.  The reports contain tactical and training strategies to effectively prepare peace officers to respond, manage, and survive similar critical incidents. 

Rich received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Police Science and Administration from California State University at Los Angeles, a Master of Science Degree from Pepperdine University in Public Administration and a California Teaching Credential.  He is a recognized expert in peace officer training, police tactics, officer safety, use-of-force issues, and the assaults and murders of peace officers.

Thousands of local, state and federal peace officers have benefited from hearing his officer safety theme of “A Moment in Time,” and viewing his training tapes.  His comments and officer safety tactics have enabled fellow law enforcement officers nationally and internationally to be effective and safer.