Currently an investigator with the California Department of Insurance, Fraud Bureau, Tony Alvarez’s law enforcement career began with the Los Angeles Police Department spanned more than twenty-six years.  For twenty-one of his twenty-six years with LAPD, he was a detective assigned to Narcotics Division.  As a Detective supervisor assigned to the Major Violator Section of the Narcotics Group (LAPD), Detective Tony Alvarez gained extensive experience in the field of undercover operations, surveillance and informant control, development and management.

Tony Alvarez has been a contributing writer for the California Narcotic Officer's Association quarterly magazine. He is an instructor for the California Narcotic Officer's Association on Narcotic Officer Survival and has made his training presentations at the FBI Academy in Quantico (Virginia); and, has also instructed local, state and federal officers nationwide. In 1995, Detective Alvarez was awarded the DEA Award of Valor, the INEOA Medal of Valor and the Al Steward Memorial Award (California Narcotic Officer of the Year). In 1996, he was awarded the LAPD Medal of Valor. He is the author of Undercover Operations Survival in Narcotics Investigations.

According to the book description of Undercover Operations Survival in Narcotics Investigations, “undercover work is one of the most dangerous yet challenging types of police investigation, requiring extensive tactical preparedness and close continuing assessment throughout the operation.  If proper planning is lacking, explosive conflict can occur without warning.  The author presents the wide range of considerations necessary to execute safe undercover teamwork, eliminating complacency, demonstrating how to seize contraband, obtain evidence and arrest violators.  Conducted properly and safely, investigations provide immediate gratification to all involved.  Furthermore, the techniques and procedures outline in this book can be easily adapted to any undercover operation.”