Lieutenant Morales was born and raised in Northern California. Following high school, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corp where he served 10 years as an Assault Amphibious Vehicle Operator, primarily aboard MCB Camp Pendleton. His law enforcement career began while teaching at the AAV School when he attended Palomar College’s Police Academy and was hired by the City of Oceanside as a Reserve Police Officer.  After exiting the Marines in 2004, he was hired for a full-time position with Oceanside, when he then attended the Regional Police Academy.

While working at the Oceanside Police Department, Lieutenant Morales began his academic career and has since obtained his Master of Arts Degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University.

Lieutenant Morales has served in a variety of assignments including Patrol, Gang Suppression Unit, and the Special Enforcement Section as a Vice Detective. Lieutenant Morales has been a Multi-Discipline Instructor, a Firearms Instructor and a member of the Unmanned Aerial Systems Team.

Lieutenant Morales was promoted to Sergeant in December 2020 where he served as a Patrol Sergeant and later transferred to the Traffic Services Unit.  In April 2023, Lieutenant Morales was promoted to his current rank and the Professional Standards Unit Lieutenant.