New Redondo Beach Police Department Chief Keith Kauffman took his oath of office and received his badge before a packed room at the October 20 Redondo Beach City Council meeting.
He also got his first mistake out of the way early in a speech giving his thanks for the immense show of support given to him by the public and RBPD officers in attendance.
“I’d like to thank all of the men and women in uniform here, especially my colleagues in the Hawthorne—” he said, cutting himself off once he realized his error.
He can be forgiven for the slip up — save for a short stint in Torrance, the Redondo Beach resident spent nearly all of his 22-year law enforcement career in the Hawthorne Police Department.
The new chief feigned a quick escape from the podium before quickly recovering. “I should’ve went with a script,” he said, apologizing and laughing along with the crowd.
“I’d also like to recognize the support of the community — without your partnership, policing would not exist,” he said. “It helps remind me that this badge is not owned, it’s merely an object entrusted to us and symbolizes our commitment and service to the community. That’s what’s most important.”
Kauffman, who is widely respected throughout the South Bay, brings a community-oriented reputation most represented by the “Coffee with a Cop” program that he created in Hawthorne. That program has since been adopted by police departments nationwide.
Chief Kauffman’s tenure officially began at midnight on Oct. 21, taking over from Interim Chief John Neu, who moves on to a role as lead investigator with the L.A. County Attorney’s office.
