Seal Beach Police Chief Steps Down From Post After 15 Years With Dept.

SEAL BEACH, CA — Seal Beach Chief of Police Philip L. Gonshak will be stepping down from his role as Chief Executive of the department after he accepted a job as the Interim County Manager for Summit County, Colorado, the department announced this week.

The move comes after 15 years of dedicated service to the Seal Beach Police Department, which he joined in 2007. During his time at the department, Gonshak climbed the ranks and served as a Police Officer, Police Corporal, Police Sergeant and Operations Bureau Commander, prior to being appointed Chief of Police in 2019, according to a statement.

“The decision to leave my career in law enforcement is all about my family and continuing on into the field of Public Administration Management,” Gonshak said in a statement. “I am deeply saddened to leave such a wonderful community and organization. However, this opportunity to serve Summit County, Colorado, will bring my family closer together as one of our daughters is currently attending Colorado University, Boulder."

Gonshak said that his new position as Interim County Manager for Summit County, Colorado, will also allow him to explore public administration, a field he said he is "obsessed" with.

"I cannot thank the entire Seal Beach community enough for their confidence in what our Police Department has accomplished together, specifically during the most trying 3 years most of us have ever faced," he said. "From the bottom of my heart, know that I am eternally grateful to this community, this organization, and our leaders, as they will all hold a special place in my heart.”

A process for Gonshak's replacement is currently being put together by the department, and residents should receive updates regarding the replacement process soon, the department said.