by Garth Meyer
Redondo Beach Police Chief Joe Hoffman announced Nov. 7 that he will retire at the end of the year.
An RBPD officer since 1994 – his entire career – Hoffman will leave the top post after almost four years.
“The department is in a really good place, and the city. Timing is everything. I talked this over with my family, and I am excited about the future of the department,” Hoffman said Wednesday in an interview with Easy Reader. “There is a fine line between leaving early and staying too long. I’m a believer that you need to leave something when you’re not quite ready. There is a point in anyone’s career that you get burned out. Having that energy and enthusiasm and commitment, it can affect the culture when you (start to lose that). I don’t want to leave, but I need to make sure I leave before I get there. I’m not there, and don’t want to ever get there.”
Hoffman joined the RBPD as a volunteer in the records unit at age 19, the son of an LAPD homicide detective who tried to talk him out of the profession.
“Go work for the DA’s office,” he said. “You’ll get your holidays and weekends off.”
The son insisted, though, and his dad said, ‘go look into the beach cities departments.’
Hoffman, who grew up in Rancho Palos Verdes, may be the only person ever to go from RBPD volunteer to chief.
“For 31 years, walking in the same door, I’ve never wanted to work anywhere else,” he said.
Since Hoffman started young with the department, the now 51-year-old chief was eligible for maximum retirement last year, but wasn’t ready yet.
“I wanted more time to set up the department for future success,” he said, citing succession planning, and to fully establish the department’s wellness program, so it is “ingrained in the fabric of the organization, and its core budget.”
Other projects of his tenure Hoffman noted too – establishing new technology, career development, training and education.
His last day is Dec. 26.
“Joe has been an incredible asset to the city,” said Mike Witzansky, city manager. “To have a second-generation law enforcement professional effectively grow up in the Redondo Beach Police Department, serve with distinction at all levels, retire as Chief … is incredibly unique. I’m particularly grateful to Joe for his dedication to the community, commitment to service integrity and accountability, overall responsiveness, and eye for technological innovation. Joe is a true servant leader and will be greatly missed.”
“I know that RBPD will be in excellent hands,” the chief said.
What are his plans for the future?
“I don’t know yet,” Hoffman said. “My focus now is on a smooth transition.”
His son graduates from college in December and his daughter is a freshman.
Any law enforcement interest from them?
“They have not indicated any at this point,” said Hoffman.
He met his wife of 24 years, Kristen, when he responded to a call at the Redondo Beach Cheesecake Factory as a young beat cop in the Pier Area. She was an acquaintance, working at the bakery counter.
“Quite frankly, without her support, it would have been very difficult to have the kind of success I’ve had in my career,” Hoffman said. “It’s a stressful job, it takes a toll on the family. To be in the same profession for 31 years is an absolute gift, but it’s not without its challenges, that’s for sure.”
His roles with the RBPD include cadet, motorcycle officer, patrol officer, Pier/harbor officer, SWAT team member, detective, range instructor, lieutenant, captain, assistant chief and chief.
“To have the opportunity to shape the future of the department is very gratifying,” he said.
What was the biggest surprise in taking the role of chief?
“Understanding the impact you can have on the entire organization. You have to hyperfocus for every decision you make,” he said. “It can affect large segments of the department, short and long-term. Doing the right thing is often much more difficult than to take the easy route.”
The chief’s job has no set hours.
“It’s a constant engagement. Stepping into being chief was a whole new level of engagement. The responsibility associated with this position is immense,” Hoffman said. “If I was to give advice I would say to be prepared to work harder than any previous assignment and be more engaged than you ever have.”
“Even on vacation you’re still very engaged, unless you’re somewhere (unreachable),” he said.
“It’s all about balance – you have to constantly be aware of the needs of both sides, personal and professional.”
The city will hold a retirement ceremony for Hoffman Dec. 17.
City manager Witzansky has begun the process to name the chief’s successor. ER
If only Redondo Beach Residents had a voice in who the next Chief is. Hoffman was & still is non responsive & ineffective as RBPD Chief. We need a Chief that gets the streets of Redondo Beach back under control. Adios Hoff!
Well, this ineffective Chief gets to ride off into the sunset with a pension of $230k+ each year. MUST BE NICE!
LOL…the RB streets are mostly fine, you’re being hysterical! You seem to be the only one who’s so upset at everybody and everything. Perhaps you need to do some self reflection. Also, why on earth should the appointment of a police chief need a vote of the people? You elect representatives who do that job for you. You (and most others) don’t know or possess the qualifications to hire a professional of their field. Enough of your silly populism.
Wrong – there are a number of citizens in this community who possess the ability to hire a professional …ie, someone QUALIFIED by more than “say-so” and lies. When people blindly support a Chief who has ZERO experience in TRUE leadership, the worst should be anticipated. Closely examine every office, service and claim produced by RBPD and you will find not ONE of them is free of highly suspect and often outright blatant lies & inconsistencies. There hasn’t been a shooting in Redondo in at least 15 years which wasn’t covered up and shrouded in efforts to deceive. With any luck the next chief will be an honored veteran who takes their oath seriously and puts the community ahead of their employees. Its called honor and service with integrity. Dont let the door hit you where the good lord split you Joe.
As the Chief he is a terrible example, his corrupt staff have been supported and therefore encouraged in making terrible choices that range from hastily and unnecessarily shooting unarmed citizens in the back, harassing the homeless, dismantling families by targeting and arresting innocent people who hes known were innocent, planting evidence, lying under oath, fabrication of charges, blatantly lying to the community wbo has supported the police as they fleece the community for millions in shady deals. Hes never wanted to work anywhere else because hes got no skills or experience of anything other than being grandfathered into a gravy job with ZERO accountability. Now the city needs to go demand the return of the key to the city which was unknowingly awarded to another disgraceful retiree who wrapped up his corrupt 29 years by fabricating, staging and planting evidence in the home of a man wbo had been successful in completing probation and recovering a stable life and home for bis children- that is until this creep and his foul detectives managed to arrest him with no probable cause, resulting in the loss of his livelihood. The culture which has taken root under Hoffmans watch is one which belongs in a petri dish, an unqualified volunteer with the help of some good old fashioned nepotism was able to promote an agenda of disinformation and cover-ups which have cost people their lives and destroyed families. Fit this guy for an investigation and dock his pension until the victims of his misconduct are made whole. Let’s figure ojt how many have been wrongfully sentenced to prison of killed.