Manhattan Beach Police Chief Now Torrance Police Chief

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA – Manhattan Beach police Chief Eve Irvine is leaving to take the police Chief spot at the Torrance Police Department, it was announced Thursday. Irvine, who has been police chief in Manhattan Beach since May 2011, was chosen from among 29 applicants to replace former Torrance police Chief Mark Matsuda, who announced his retirement in June.

Irvine, who began her career as an Inglewood Police Department cadet in 1982, will be sworn in as Torrance's chief on Jan. 9. Prior to becoming the Manhattan Beach police chief, Irvine became a nationally recognized expert in the area of domestic violence and worked assignments in sex crimes, child abuse, assaults and robbery in her work as a detective for the Inglewood Police Department, according to a statement from the city of Torrance.

"We were fortunate to have an outstanding selection of internal and external candidates," City Manager LeRoy J. Jackson said. "Chief Irvine ... brings a breadth of experience, exemplary training, continued education and excellent interpersonal skills to lead a first-class department that has remained committed to protecting the public's safety."

Matsuda served the city of Torrance for 30 years, joining its police department in May 1987. He was appointed chief in April 2014.

City News Service and Patch staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Photo via Manhattan Beach Police Department