On April 22, 2023, Joe Cartwright was appointed as the 11th Chief of Police at the Newport Beach Police Department.

Chief Cartwright began his law enforcement career with the Los Angeles Police Department in January 1999. In 2002, he joined the Newport Beach Police Department. He has worked in a variety of assignments, including patrol officer, accident investigator, Economic Crimes detective, Crimes Against Persons detective, and Crisis Negotiation Team member. In 2010, he promoted to the rank of sergeant and worked as a Patrol sergeant, Field Training Program sergeant, Crisis Negotiation Team supervisor, and Professional Standards Unit sergeant. In 2014, he promoted to the rank of lieutenant and served as the Area 4 commander, Area 2 commander, Jail manager, Traffic Services commander, and executive officer to the chief of police. He served as Deputy Chief of Police, Detective Division Commander from January 2021 until he was appointed Acting Chief of Police in December 2022.

Chief Cartwright holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Long Beach, and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix. He is a graduate of several advanced law enforcement training courses, including the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, the Force Science Institute Certification Course, the Executive Development Courses for both California POST and the California Police Chiefs Association, and the California Police Chiefs Executive Leadership Institute at Claremont Graduate University's Drucker School of Management.

Chief Cartwright is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and currently serves as the chairman of the board of directors for the Newport Beach 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) which provides support and relief for U.S. Marines and their family members who are injured, ill, distressed, or otherwise in need of financial or other assistance. He is also a member of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce Commodores Club.