Mayor's Press Release Details His Endorsement of Police Chief Candidate

Hermosa Beach Mayor Patrick "Kit" Bobko sent the following press release to media on July 26. The release was issued prior to City Manager Tom Bakaly's official announcement of his selection. The city's police chief is chosen by the city manager.

The city's contracted public relations firm issued information on the city manager's final choice in an email on July 31.

HERMOSA BEACH, CA - Mayor Patrick "Kit" Bobko announced his endorsement of Cecil W. Rhambo to be the new Chief of Police for the City of Hermosa Beach today.

"Hermosa Beach is home to many uniquely high profile events and activities, including recent Fourth of July concerns, Fiesta Hermosa, summer concerts and various beach sporting events, so we need a strong Chief to lead our men and women in uniform" Mayor Bobko said. He added "I had the privilege of meeting the final two candidates and found Los Angeles Assistant Sheriff Rhambo to be extraordinarily well-qualified to serve our community and I offer the City Manager my full support for Rhambo's appointment. His reputation among leaders in the law-enforcement community is sterling, and his qualifications are impeccable."

"It is unfortunate that Hermosa Beach has not had a full-time contracted Chief of Police for the past year," Bobko continued, "we've had a string of concerns when it comes to this very important position. I believe Cecil Rhambo will provide enthusiastic, strong, and principled leadership for our Department and ask those who join me in desiring a strong leader for our Department to ask the City Manager to name Rhambo our new Chief."

"Rhambo's track record in law enforcement shows he has the objectivity, sensitivity and ability to keep Hermosa Beach a safe community for all residents, visitors and businesses," said Mayor Bobko.

Cecil W. Rhambo is a 31-year veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and currently oversees law enforcement personnel in an extraordinarily diverse environment as Assistant Sheriff. He oversees public safety for rail and bus lines, county public housing projects, and the county court system. Rhambo also has responsibility for county public buildings, including county hospitals, parks, golf courses and hiking trails, the Los Angeles Community College campuses and County parking enforcement. Additionally, Assistant Sheriff Rhambo oversees weapons and tactics teams, the emergency operations bureau, and the joint terrorism task force.

Rhambo was in charge of the 50 Sheriffs Deputies who assisted the Hermosa Beach Police Department on the Fourth of July, and is a South Bay resident himself.

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