Interim Police Chief Nominated In Beverly Hills

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The City of Beverly Hills has named Dominique Rivetti as a potential Interim Police Chief to succeed outgoing Chief Sandra Spagnoli. The City Council will vote on Rivetti’s appointment during their meeting on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 p.m.

This will be the second time that Rivetti, a 45-year law enforcement veteran, serves as BPHD Interim Chief. He came out of retirement to fill the role in August 2015 and served until March 2016. Before that, Rivetti served 31 years with the San Fernando Police Department, with the last 15 years as Chief. From 2001 to 2006, he served as Chief of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation, where he helped develop appeal cases for officers on the Brady List.

After two more interim chiefs, Rivetti inherited a department that a consultant’s audit found suffered from middling morale and controversial hiring policies, according to a July 15 report from the Beverly Hills Courier. His predecessor Chief David Snowden stepped down for health reasons and amid controversy surrounding a second salary from a private-sector job, though Snowden claims that the post was cleared with then-City Manager Jeff Kolin. Rivetti’s successor, Chief Sandra Spagnoli added fuel to the fire, costing the city over $7 million in different lawsuits by numerous staffers who alleged that she had romantic affairs with subordinates that influenced promotion decisions, and made homophobic, anti-Semitic, and racist remarks.

Spagnoli stepped down April 25, and Assistant Police Chief Marc Coopwood will serve as Acting Chief for just a few days before the Council vote on May 19.

If approved by the Council, Rivetti will have his work cut out for him, but he and city officials expressed optimism. “I am honored to once again have an opportunity to serve the Beverly Hills community,” said Rivetti. “I look forward to supporting the dedicated members of the department as they work to keep this City safe and maintain an exceptional quality of life.”

“I am so pleased to welcome Dominick back to Beverly Hills,” said City Manager George Chavez. “His understanding of our community and previous experience with the department will be a tremendous asset as we move forward.”