The ‘best of times, the worst of times,’ Kauffman says of his tenure as chief
by Garth Meyer Redondo Beach Police Chief Keith Kauffman announced his retirement Wednesday, at age 50, after 28 years as an officer and seven as the Redondo chief, effective Feb. 28. “I’m old in cop years,” he said. Kauffman will stay on as the city’s acting fire chief, his more recent role, until its new leader is hired. The South Bay native and son of a career Redondo Beach police officer served with the Hawthorne Police for 21 years, before being named chief of his hometown department in 2015. “Keith Kauffman is a poster child for what a leader is expected to be,” said Redondo Beach Mayor Bill Brand. “His rare abilities, calm demeanor and community-based approach to policing was a welcome change, and very effective.” The end comes as he intended. Police officers often retire around the 30-year mark. “You don’t work this long for nothing. It’s always been my plan to retire at about this time,” Kauffman said. “There’s a lot that’s happened in 28 years. Everything’s been great. I wanted to leave on my own terms, not under some dark cloud or anything. It’s the right time.” One of his first goals upon retirement is to become a licensed pilot. He started on it back in high school…
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