Captain Phillip Tingirides was born in Lynwood, California. His family roots are in South Los Angeles. He attended schools within Los Angeles County from elementary through high school. Upon his graduation from Lowell High School in 1976, he enlisted in the United States Army. Captain Tingirides received training at the U.S. Army Military Police School in Alabama. He was station in Germany and Key West Florida. Captain Tingirides was honorably discharged from the military in 1979.

He began his career with the Los Angeles Police Department in February 1980, when he entered the Los Angeles Police Academy. Following his completion of Recruit Training, he was assigned to patrol assignments in Southeast, Wilshire, Hollywood and then was assigned to Metropolitan Division.

In 1988 he was promoted to Sergeant. His initial assignment was to Central Area as a field supervisor. In 1989 he moved to Hollywood Area where he was assigned to Patrol, the Administrative Unit, Prostitution Enforcement Detail, Vice Unit and the Community Relations Unit. In 1996, Captain Tingirides transferred to Harbor Area where he was the Officer-in-Charge of the Gang Unit. In 1997, Captain Tingirides was assigned to the Department Commander as his Aide. During this assignment he was involved in the Rampart Corruption investigation.

In 1998 he was promoted to Lieutenant. As a lieutenant he held the following positions: Patrol Watch Commander, Detective Commanding Officer, Operations-South Bureau Vice and Special Events Coordinator, Officer-in-Charge Gang Impact Team, Metropolitan Division Mounted Unit and Underwater Dive Unit.

On July 2, 2006 he was promoted to Captain and was assigned to Wilshire Area as the Patrol Commanding Officer.