CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

New Police Chief Named For Newport Beach

A Long Beach police commander has been named Police Chief for Newport Beach, city officials announced today. Jay R. Johnson will begin work on July 3.

Johnson’s annual salary will be $204,500, subject to a payroll deduction for CalPERS pension costs that all NBPD safety staff may take following their most recent round of negotiations with the City, according to a city statement. He will will take over the police department from Police Chief Robert Luman, who left retirement to serve as interim chief. Luman’s last day will be June 30.

Johnson currently oversees the Long Beach Police Department’s Emergency Operations Division. He has been with that department since 1987 and has worked in major divisions including patrol, special enforcement, special weapons and tactics, community policing team, and gang and violent crimes detectives. He was promoted to the position of commander in 2004.

“Commander Johnson went through a rigorous recruitment process, including at least five separate interviews, a community panel, a written test, follow-up written questions from me, reference checks, and a detailed, Police Officer Standards & Training-certified background investigation,” said Newport Beach City Manager Dave Kiff. “In each phase of the process, Commander Johnson stood out as a candidate with great integrity, professionalism, diverse experience, a strong education, and an excellent sense of our community.”

“He thoroughly understands what’s needed in Newport Beach, particularly in terms of community- oriented, professional policing with a friendly and approachable style,” Kiff said in a statement. “The NBPD will be in great hands, as will our community.”

Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Public Administration degree from the California State University, Long Beach. He is an FBI National Academy graduate with more than 4,000 hours of professional training in various areas of management, police tactics, incident command and leadership.

In addition, Johnson has been recognized for outstanding service and work performance more than 75 times during the past two decades including being honored with the Jeff Young Memorial Award for his commitment to the Long Beach community and the LBPD and receiving a Class “A” award for heroism. Johnson comes from a law enforcement family, with two brothers (senior commander, officer) and a cousin (sergeant) serving the LBPD. He and his wife Nicole have three children. They reside in Orange County.

The search for a new chief took nearly one year and included candidates from across the country.

Photo courtesy of the City of Newport Beach.