by Garth Meyer
Joe Hoffman is the new police chief for the only department he ever worked for, the only one he ever applied to.
The son of an LAPD homicide detective, Hoffman began as a part-time cadet in Redondo Beach in 1994. He was hired as an officer by the end of the year, and still just 20 years old upon graduation from police academy.
“It’s a wonderful city. It’s a great police department. It’s home to me, and I’m so proud to be part of it,” he said.
In Hoffman’s career, he has served as commander for each of the three bureaus that make up the RBPD: special operations, support services and patrol.
Assigned to the pier unit for his first four years, Hoffman learned the “community policing” model favored by his eventual boss, Keith Kauffman, who retired last Monday night, Feb. 28, when Hoffman was sworn-in.
“I step into this position with a solid foundation,” the new chief said of Kaufman’s seven years at the helm. “The programs dedicated to community outreach have changed the way we interact with the community and have allowed us to increase trust in ways that were not previously thought possible.”
City Manager Mike Witzansky cited Hoffman’s 16 years in police management as one reason for his selection.
“Choosing to promote the next chief from within the department was one of the easiest decisions I’ve made as city manager,” Witzansky said. “Succession planning has been a focus of the organization for some time and preparing the command staff for promotion was one of (Kauffman’s) main priorities.”
Hoffman, 47, has a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a Master’s in emergency services administration, each from Cal State-Long Beach. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy and California’s P.O.S.T. (Peace Officers Standards and Training) Command College.
“What has impressed me about Joe has been his personal commitment to professional growth by further educating himself, and being willing to take on new assignments throughout the course of his career,” said Witzansky.
Hoffman now aims to continue the outreach work of “humanizing the badge.”
“Increasing the level of trust and level of safety are the two primary objectives,” he said.
Quality of life issues are another focus; from loud exhaust, to leaf blowers to dog violations.
The new chief leads an 89-officer department, with six vacancies.
“First day was busy,” Hoffman said. “A lot of well-wishers, and a presentation to the city council meeting that night. It’s been busy but it’s been great.”
Hoffman grew up mainly in Rancho Palos Verdes, playing football and basketball. He graduated from San Pedro High School after Miraleste High School closed.
As a young officer, one night in 1997, a 911 hang-up call came from the payphone at The Cheesecake Factory.
Hoffman responded. By the bakery counter, he recognized one of the workers, a young woman who was an acquaintance, a friend of friends. After he determined there was no emergency, he went back to the bakery counter.
He and Kristen have been married now for 21 years, with two children, an 18-year-old freshman at Penn State and a 14-year-old freshman at South Torrance High School.
Kristen is a registered nurse with the California Department of Public Health.
“I wouldn’t be able to achieve the success I have had in law enforcement without her as my support staff,” said Hoffman. “Good thing she worked at the bakery near the payphone.”
A moderate jogger, Hoffman will participate once again, in April, in the “Baker to Vegas” 120-mile race, with 20 fellow RBPD officers. The annual event is put on by the Los Angeles Police Revolver and Athletic Club.
Then it will be back to work.
“I’m very, very excited at the opportunity to build on the positive foundation we have,” Hoffman said. ER
