Full Notification

In January 2014, Police Chief John Neu announced his retirement effective January 29, 2014.  On February 4, 2014, the Torrance City Council and Mayor honored Police Chief John Neu upon his retirement from the City after twenty-eight years of service.

Chief Neu began his career as a Police Officer with the Pasadena Police Department and was hired by the Torrance Police Department on August 29, 1985.  He was promoted to Sergeant on November 13, 1994, and was promoted to Lieutenant on March 12, 2000.  He was again promoted to Captain on July 28, 2002, and to Chief of Police on October 10, 2006.     

Chief Neu served in various assignments as an officer and investigator.  As a Sergeant, he made positive contributions in the Detective Division supervising first the Crimes Property and then the Crimes Persons sections.  Once promoted to Lieutenant, he worked in Patrol as a Watch Commander before being assigned to the Personnel Division.  While in charge of Personnel, John was responsible for the “Women in Policing” recruitment program that has had a tremendous impact on our department to this day. John was also responsible for the Department’s Recruitment DVD that was a concept truly ahead of its time. When he promoted to Captain, John worked with City Council members to develop and implement the City’s in-house Animal Control Program. 

 As Chief of Police, John introduced the philosophy of Focus Based Policing, which has become the foundation of the Department. Its implementation has fostered continuous improvement in employee development and police operations.  The general dissatisfaction with the status quo has led to the revamping of divisions, civilianization of positions, and the improvement in the efficiency of operations. During his tenure as Chief, John introduced Team Policing, an official Community Affairs Division, a new Forensic Identification Specialist Unit, Public Safety Dispatchers, a new management team focus, expanded the duties of the Community Lead Officers, improved response times for service, oversaw the flourishing of the Cold Case Unit, greatly improved case clearance rates for Detectives, and expanded the use of a DNA Criminalist to process crime scenes. Most importantly, all of this has led to a greater level of service for the citizens of Torrance and has allowed the Torrance Police Department to become one of the leading law enforcement agencies in the nation.

Chief Neu’s personal values and professional focus built strong bridges with the Mayor and Council, the Executive Team and all City employees. He was also a leader among Police Chiefs in the South Bay and the state. His insight into team dynamics, his use of analysis and acting on trends to achieve effective law enforcement, and his involvement in the community itself, as a friend and as an advisor, has served our community well. 

Chief Neu has built strength into the ranks and developed a strong management team allowing the City Manager to recommend a promotional examination for the position of Police Chief, which was granted by the Civil Service Commission and City Council.  Deputy Chief Mark Matsuda will serve as Interim Police Chief during this transition period.

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Emergency 9-1-1

Non-Emergency: 310-328-3456

Forwarded By:
Torrance Police Department –
Community Affairs Division
310-618-6391 or 310-618-6392
www.Police.TorranceCA.Gov
www.YouTube.com/TPDCommAffairs
www.Facebook.com/TorrancePD
www.Twitter.com/TorrancePD


Mark Matsuda
Interim Chief of Police
Torrance Police Department