Nuvision Hero: Huntington Beach Police Department Officer Mike Carsten

What makes a good police officer great? For Huntington Beach Police Officer Mike Carsten, it comes down to compassion, consistency, and the courage to truly listen.

After more than 25 years in law enforcement—nearly two decades in Visalia and the last six and a half with Huntington Beach—Officer Carsten has seen just about everything. But through all the challenges, one thing has never changed: his drive to serve his community and help people find a better path.

“I’ve always had a desire to serve,” Carsten said. “It’s about doing right by others, trying to help people when they’re at their lowest.”

That belief guided him to one of the department’s most challenging yet rewarding assignments: the Homeless Task Force. He volunteered for the unit back in 2019 and spent five years working directly with people living on the streets, helping connect them with resources, shelter, and hope.

“It wasn’t just about enforcement,” he explained. “It was about showing people they had options—that they didn’t have to live outdoors forever.”

During his time on the task force, Carsten saw first-hand how small acts of persistence can lead to lasting change. Some of the people he worked with found permanent housing, got sober, and later came back to thank him and his team for not giving up on them. “That’s the kind of thing that sticks with you,” he said. “When someone turns their life around and remembers that you were part of that process—it means something.”

A Mentor and a Model of Integrity

Carsten’s leadership goes beyond his work in the field. Among his peers, he’s known as a mentor—someone younger officers turn to for perspective, guidance, and calm in the chaos.

“The most important thing I try to teach,” he said, “is that this isn’t just a job—it’s a lifestyle. You can’t clock out from being a police officer. You lead by example every day, on and off duty.”

His peers clearly see that example. This year, they named him Police Officer of the Year for his professionalism, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to the Huntington Beach community.

Strengthening the Bond Between Officers and the Community

Building trust, Carsten admits, isn’t always easy. “There’s a lot of misunderstanding out there,” he said. “People see things from a narrow view, sometimes from just one bad experience. It takes real conversation and patience to open that up—to help people see the bigger picture.”

That perspective, shaped by decades on the job, is part of what makes Carsten respected not just within his department, but across the city. He doesn’t shy away from the hard conversations—he leans into them, believing that understanding is built one person at a time.

When asked what message he’d want the public to hear, he paused, then answered simply:
“Do right by others. If everyone lived by that rule, we’d have far fewer problems.”

Honoring Service and Commitment

Officer Mike Carsten represents the best of what it means to serve—strength, humility, and a deep care for the people behind every badge and every call.

As we celebrate National First Responders Day, we’re proud to recognize heroes like Officer Carsten at Nuvision’s Annual First Responders Lunch. It’s our way of saying thank you to the men and women who protect, rescue, and support our communities every day.

Because honoring heroes isn’t just something we do once a year—it’s part of who we are.