Captain Ryan Whiteman was born in Western Massachusetts and moved to Southern California while in elementary school. After graduating high school, Ryan joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1998. He was assigned to Hollenbeck Area after completing the Police Academy and was transferred to Southwest Area at the conclusion of his probationary period. While assigned to Southwest Area he worked various assignments including patrol, Special Problem Unit (SPU), Gang Enforcement Detail (GED), Field Training Officer (FTO), and Senior Lead Officer (SLO).

In 2008, Ryan was assigned to Emergency Services Division (ESD) Bomb Canine Section. In 2013, he was promoted to Sergeant, and assigned to Central Area. In 2015, he was promoted to Sergeant II, and assigned to the Southeast Area Community Safety Partnership (CSP) serving the housing developments in Watts. In 2017, Ryan was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was assigned to West Valley Division. As a Lieutenant, Ryan served as the Officer-in-Charge of Hollenbeck, as well as the Newton Area Gang Impact Team and the Commanding Officer of Newton Area Detectives.

In October 2020, Ryan was promoted to Captain and assigned to West Los Angeles Patrol Division. In June of 2021, he was assigned to Community Safety Partnership Bureau (CSPB) where he oversees teams in Operations South Bureau (OSB). He currently resides in the Inland Empire with his two sons. He also has two brothers that are sworn members of the Los Angeles Police Department.