Search Is On For New Beverly Hills Police Chief

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The Beverly Hills Police Department has begun looking for a police chief to replace outgoing Chief Sandra Spagnoli. The City announced in an April 25 statement that Spagnoli would step down on May 15.

“During the Chief’s tenure, crime was reduced while the department increased diversity, public outreach, best practices and advancements in technology,” City Manager George Chavez wrote. “We thank Chief Spagnoli for her service to our community and her three decades of public service in law enforcement.”

Spagnoli joined the BHPD in February 2016 after serving five years as Chief of the San Leandro Police Department. Her tenure in Beverly Hills was divisive. She has had many allies who credit her for reducing crime and reorganizing what some call a “broken” department. Spagnoli is also the subject of 14 civil lawsuits accusing her of racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic remarks, as well as allegations that she had sexual relations with subordinates and denied promotions to officers who rejected her advances. The City of Beverly Hills has paid over $7 million in settlements since her tenure began, including $60,000 to crisis management firm Sitrick & Company, which has also worked for Harvey Weinstein.

After May 15, Assistant Police Chief Marc Coopwood will serve as Acting Police Chief until an Interim Chief is appointed. Coopwood is a former Sacramento Police Department captain who joined the BHPD a year after Spagnoli. The City has not made any decisions about who will serve as Interim Chief, and has not released any timetables for the decision. The recruitment process will likely take several months and interview a national range of candidates.