Menifee Police Chief Announces Retirement

MENIFEE, CA — The city of Menifee's first police chief, Pat Walsh, will retire this summer, capping a 38-year career in law enforcement, it was announced Tuesday.

"Establishing the Menifee Police Department and working with our brave men and women has been the pinnacle of my career," Walsh said. "It has been an honor to serve the Menifee community; they have been so supportive of their police. I am looking forward to spending more time with my wife and family in retirement."

Walsh was the municipality's founding police chief, taking the helm in early July 2020, when Menifee officially ended its law enforcement contract with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department and initiated autonomous public safety operations.

The chief is slated to retire in July and will be among the key decision-makers who consider candidates for the open position.

The department, which now boasts 95 personnel, is continuing to expand, adding more staff to crime scene investigation, traffic patrol and the K9 division, according to officials.

"From the city council to our city manager ... to our dedicated command staff at the police department, their vision and leadership have helped build and grow a premier police force that will continue to serve and protect Menifee for years to come," Walsh said.

The chief landed his first law enforcement job with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 1984, where he served as a deputy until accepting a position with the Portland, Oregon, Police Bureau in 1992.

He worked primarily as a narcotics investigator and was instrumental in "dismantling a multi-state drug distribution ring," according to his biography. Walsh eventually earned the rank of commander and helped create the agency's Office of Accountability & Professional Standards.

He moved to Lompoc and became chief of police for the California city in 2014, leaving that role after being tapped to lead the newly established Menifee Police Department, officials said