Manhattan Beach Names Rachel Johnson as New Police Chief
Jul 26, 2022 05:29PM ● By Mb News Staff
Manhattan Beach Police Chief Rachel Johnson. Photo via City of Manhattan Beach.
The city of Manhattan Beach has announced the selection of Rachel Johnson as its new Chief of Police.
According to a statement from the city, Johnson brings
significant experience and achievements to the Manhattan Beach Police
Department, including over 21 years of law enforcement experience.
“I’m honored to have
the opportunity to serve as the Police Chief for the City of Manhattan
Beach,” said Johnson in a statement. “I look forward to working together with the
Police Department’s sworn and professional staff,
City leaders, and the community to continue the Manhattan Beach Police
Department’s legacy of excellent service, with a focus on crime
prevention, quality of life, and fostering relationships. I’m delighted
to work in such a vibrant and engaged community,
and to work together to keep our City safe.”
According to her bio, Johnson is a United
States Marine Corps Veteran and served from 1997 to 2001 as an Air
Control Electronics Operator. During her military service, she was
stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa,
Japan and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego.
In 2001, Johnson began
her career in law enforcement at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department
before lateralling to the Newport Beach Police Department in 2005.
During her tenure in Newport Beach, Johnson worked
a wide variety of assignments. She served as a field training officer
until 2012 when she promoted to sergeant, supervising the traffic
division, special events, and major accident investigations. In 2017,
she promoted to lieutenant, overseeing jail operations,
the mounted unit, and the explorer program.
Since 2020, Johnson has
served as a police captain for the Laguna Beach Police Department,
overseeing both the support and investigative services and field
services divisions. She was also assigned to oversee
the City’s COVID-19 response in the Emergency Operations Center during
the height of the pandemic.
Johnson was awarded the
Lifesaving Medal in 2014 for conducting CPR on a person who crashed his
car following a heart attack. In addition, she is a graduate of Sherman
Block Leadership Institute, the International
Association of Chiefs of Police Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI), and
the California POST Executive Development Course. She has associate’s,
bachelor’s, and master’s degrees with areas of study in Management and
Administration of Justice.
According to a statement by the city, Johnson has a broad
array of experience in beach communities, and a demonstrated success in
strategic and operational planning, crisis management, employee
development, and community collaboration.
“The men and women of
the Manhattan Beach Police Department provide exemplary services and
take great pride to ensure the safety of Manhattan Beach so that
residents and visitors alike can enjoy the quality of
life that Manhattan Beach has to offer. With her community-oriented and
proactive policing approach, I’m confident that Johnson is the right
person to lead the Manhattan Beach Police Department and keep our
residents safe,” said City Manager Bruce Moe. “Johnson
is a highly respected leader who will serve our community well.”
“We look forward to
welcoming Chief Johnson, and supporting her in serving the Manhattan
Beach community that we all love,” said Manhattan Beach Police Officers’
Association President Dan Brandt.
Johnson was born and
raised in Houston, Texas. She is an avid runner, hiker, and cyclist. In
her free time, Johnson enjoys spending time with her family and
volunteering for the First Battalion, First Marines
Foundation, and Leadership Tomorrow, Orange County.
Johnson’s first day on the job will be Monday, August 8.
She will succeed Police Chief Derrick Abell, who retired in December 2021 and has been serving as Interim Police Chief during the executive
search.
The city will host a special swearing-in ceremony and reception for Johnson on Wednesday, August 17, at 4:30 p.m. in the Civic Center Plaza outside the Manhattan Beach Police Department.