Title: Licensing Investigator
Company: California Department of Social Services
Location: CA/USA
Education: MS in Computer Information Systems, Coleman Computer College (Now Coleman University) (1994); Mathematics Degree, San Diego State University (1991)
Career History: Licensing Investigator, Investigation Branch, California Department of Social Services (2025-Present); Police Officer, Detective, Coronado Police Services, CA (2020-2025); Law Enforcement Security, Sharp HealthCare, San Diego, CA (2001-2020); Fraud Detection Agent, Pechanga Resort Casino, Temecula, CA (2019); Police Detective, San Diego Police Department, CA (1990-2018); Police Detective, San Diego County, CA (1990-2013); FBI Computer Forensic Examiner (FET), San Diego Police Department (2013-2016)
Simon V. Ty, Licensing Investigator at the California Department of Social Services, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of law enforcement.
Growing up in a civil war-torn Cambodia in the 1970s, the hardships brought on by the brutal Khmer Rouge separated Mr. Ty from his family and ultimately led to his father’s execution. He subsequently found refuge in a Thai camp and was later adopted as a teenage refugee in the United States in 1981. His strong determination to succeed was fueled by his father’s belief in the importance of education and public service.
Despite facing adversity as a refugee, Mr. Ty excelled in high school, engaging in various activities, including photography, sports, and community programs. He went on to serve in the Army National Guard in California and Minnesota. Driven by his early interests in computers and technology, he developed expertise in forensics and ultimately became a detective in the San Diego Police Department in 1990, where he remained for 28 years.
In the midst of his early career in law enforcement, Mr. Ty bolstered his credentials further by earning a mathematics degree from San Diego State University in 1991 and a Master of Science in computer information systems from Coleman Computer College three years later. These led to working as an FBI computer forensics examiner at the department later in his career, solidifying his belief that education is the key to success.
In addition to his primary roles at SDPD, Mr. Ty was active in law enforcement security at Sharp HealthCare from 2001 to 2020, as a fraud detection agent at Pechanga Resort Casino in 2019, and as a police officer and detective for Coronado Police Services from 2020 to 2025. Since 2025, he has found success as a licensing investigator within the investigation branch at the California Department of Social Services. In this capacity, he investigates complaints of abuse or neglect, ensures compliance with state licensing regulations, protects vulnerable children and adults in care facilities, collaborates with law enforcements and licensing agencies, conducts interviews and site visits, and reviews and documents evidence in investigations.
Over the course of his accomplished career, Mr. Ty has accrued numerous accolades. Among his most prized honors were a Community Appreciation Award from the Cambodian Buddhist Temple, an Appreciation Award from the Cambodian New Year Parade Chief Council, and a Command Officer Citation from SDPD. He is a dedicated member of such organizations as the California Financial Crimes Investigators Association, International Financial Data Association, and the High Technology Cyber Investigation Association.
Reflecting on the future, Mr. Ty intends to continue protecting vulnerable populations through investigative work, further develop best practices in licensing enforcement, and document his professional and personal legacy for his family—which includes his wife, Chantho Sang, and their seven children and two grandchildren—and future generations. When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with family, practicing photography and oil painting, and volunteering at cultural events.