New Beverly Hills Police Chief Sworn Into Office

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Mark Stainbrook officially began his tenure as the Chief of Police for the Beverly Hills Police Department Tuesday.

At a ceremony outside Beverly Hills City Hall Tuesday, Stainbrook took his oath of office and addressed a crowd of Beverly Hills locals, city officials, BHPD officers and law enforcement from departments across Southern California.

Stainbrook will be the first full-time replacement for former chief Sandra Spagnoli, who resigned in April 2020 amid lawsuits claiming she had made racist remarks and harassed other employees. Dominick Rivetti has served as interim chief for the past 18 months.

Stainbrook and Mayor Bob Wunderlich both thanked Rivetti for his time in the position, noting these were "challenging times" for the department.

"Today we begin a new journey together as we serve the greatest city in the world," Stainbrook said, standing alongside city council members and Wunderlich.

Wunderlich set the stage for the gravity of the position Stainbrook will undertake, emphasizing how challenging Rivetti's tenure has been.

"Beverly Hills is probably the best known small city in the world. And one of the most important factors in making us who we are is our outstanding police department," Wunderlich said at the ceremony.

In his remarks, Stainbrook thanked his role models and former coworkers, many of whom were in the audience, and addressed his new department. Stainbrook has previously said he hopes his appointment will be a "fresh start" for the department.

Stainbrook also spoke directly to Beverly Hills locals, emphasizing the importance of a rich relationship between the department and the city.

"We will be trusted storers of your homes, you businesses, your schools and your places of worship. But this mission can never be successful without the members of the community," Stainbrook said.

This relationship should be no issue, though, considering the engagement of Beverly Hills residents, he said.

"I've learned very quickly that this is a highly engaged and super supportive community and I'm very excited about that," Stainbrook said.

The incoming police chief has previously addressed national conversations about law enforcement and the role of policing in America, and addressed the topic at Tuesdays ceremony.

He also specifically mentioned the Beverly Hills Business District, which has become a source for local anxiety because of a seeming increase in flashy thefts and crimes.

"I'm sure that the current state of American law enforcement is on the minds of everyone here. Certainly these have been challenging times, but there [are] things that remain constant: we want safe neighborhoods, we want our world renowned Business District to be safe and thriving, and we believe in great community and police partnerships and relationships," Stainbrook said.

Stainbrook's Background

Stainbrook began his career as a Los Angeles Police Department officer in 1995. He rose to the rank of lieutenant before joining the San Diego Harbor Police Department as assistant chief in 2011. He became chief of the San Diego Harbor Police Department in 2018, and was selected as the San Diego Crime Commission's County Law Enforcement Official of the Year in 2019.

"The opportunity to lead the Beverly Hills Police Department is the culmination of my career in law enforcement," Stainbrook said in a news release last month.

Stainbrook recently retired as a lieutenant colonel in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, where held a variety of assignments including military police, civil affairs and information operations over a 32-year career, said Keith Sterling, Chief Communications Officer for Beverly Hills. While serving in Iraq in 2003, Stainbrook was tasked to reconstitute Iraqi police units in Baghdad.

Beverly Hills City Manager George Chavez said Stainbrook's "international credentials, experience in high-profile agencies and collaborative approach will bring new energy and valuable insight to our community and the department."

"I have no doubt that Mark will be an incredible leader to our police department and the residents of our community," Wunderlich said at Tuesday's ceremony.