City of Laguna Beach Begins Search for Chief of Police
City of Laguna Beach Begins Search for Chief of Police
The City of Laguna Beach, March 2, 2020, Media Release
Laguna Beach Police Chief Laura Farinella Announces Retirement
Laguna Beach, CA – The City of Laguna Beach’s Chief of Police is announcing her retirement after serving five years as the Chief in Laguna Beach. Chief Laura Farinella will retire in July, marking an extraordinary career in law enforcement that has spanned 30-years. A recruitment for a new Chief of Police will begin soon.
Under Chief Farinella’s leadership, the City of Laguna Beach achieved record-low crime rates in both 2018 and 2019. As Chief of Police, Farinella led the Department to institute a series of innovative policing programs, including the addition of full-time jailers and beach patrol officers, a Downtown foot-beat patrol, the Department’s first School Resource Officer, the establishment of a police presence at Main Beach and at Heisler Park through community outreach booths, using a data-driven approach to identify crime and nuisance-related issues, using technology as a Departmental force-multiplier, and establishing numerous community engagement and outreach programs to enhance the Department’s partnership with the community.
“Chief Farinella leaves a legacy as a respected leader with a dedication to community-oriented policing, public safety and maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct in the Department,” said Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig. “The City of Laguna Beach is grateful to Chief Farinella for her leadership, unwavering commitment to this community and always putting the safety of our residents first.”
Laura Farinella was selected as Police Chief for the City of Laguna Beach in March of 2015; prior to that she worked for the Long Beach Police Department for 25 years. While in Long Beach she worked all Patrol Divisions, was the Sergeant overseeing Internal Affairs, and served as the Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Investigations. As a commander she managed the Communications, East Patrol, and the Gang and Violent Crimes Divisions, and served as the Chief of Staff and Support Bureau Deputy Chief.
“Serving as Chief for the Laguna Beach Police Department has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” Farinella said. “I am extremely proud of the work the Laguna Beach Police Department has done and all of the new ways we’ve been able to connect with our community. I am confident the achievements and momentum created by this Department will continue to grow.”
