Redondo Beach names Hawthorne’s Kauffman as new police chief
Keith Kauffman was named Redondo Beach’s new Chief of Police. Photo courtesy City of Redondo Beach
Keith Kauffman, a Captain with the Hawthorne Police Department, was named as Redondo Beach’s next Chief of Police in a press release issued on Tuesday afternoon. He was the top pick from a field of 39 candidates vying for a position vacated in October 2014 by the retirement of Joe Leonardi. Kauffman will be introduced and sworn in before the public at the October 20 meeting of the Redondo Beach City Council.
A resident of Redondo Beach, Kauffman has worked in law enforcement for 22 years, and holds a Master’s degree in Negotations and Conflict Management from Cal State – Dominguez Hills. He has been credited with the co-creation and implementation of the “Coffee with a Cop” program.
““It has been a privilege for the past six months to work with the men and women of the Redondo Beach Police Department — a department I knew well from my time in Torrance,” said Redondo’s interim Chief of Police John Neu, via press release. Neu, who retired as Torrance’s Police Chief last year, took on Redondo’s interim position in April. He will move on to work within the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office later this month.
“Keith is well known in the South Bay and will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience as the incoming Chief of Police. He will be welcomed by our team of hard-working and dedicated police professionals here in Redondo Beach,” Neu added.
“I am very much looking forward to serving as the Chief of Police for Redondo Beach and working with all the members of the Police Department — both officers and civilians,” Kauffman said. “The Redondo beach Police Department has great potential and I am honored to be their next Chief.”