Scott LaChasse Named Permanent Police Chief

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Back in December, 2009, City Manager Mike Flad said that he had found the perfect man to take over the Burbank Police Department in a time of instability and internal problems plagued the department.  In January, he then introduced Interim Police Chief Scott LaChasse to Burbank.

Scott LaChasse -1
Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse

Since that time, he has instituted several reforms that include, reorganizing the department, implementing a strategic plan, creating a professional oversight process, establishing a professional standards policy, strengthened internal affairs investigation procedures which included the adoption of an early warning system, improving officer training, emphasizing constitutional policing practices, implementing audit and control systems, initiating measures of inclusion and collaboration, created contemporary use of force policies and review procedures, and commissioned the completion of a comprehensive organizational culture study.

Three years later, an Interim City Manager, Ken Pulskamp, took away the Interim status and made LaChasse the permanent police chief for the City of Burbank.

“Chief LaChasse came to Burbank to offer stability to the City’s police department,” says Pulskamp. “He has done that and more, proving to me that he’s the individual most qualified to raise our police standards to the highest level and ensure they remain there.”

LaChasse runs a department of 280 personnel or which 160 are sworn officers and oversees a budget of$48 million a year.  During that time he has developed a comprehensive strategic plan to ensure adherence with contemporary police practice as well as to “brand” the police department as progressive, ethical, contemporary and inclusive.

He has also brought in new programs to the department such as the Mental Health Evaluation Team, which was just recognized by the County of Los Angeles and has empowered officers to suggest programs that will benefit the community, like the new pilot program called the Neighborhood Policing Team which was suggested by Burbank Police Officer Fletcher Stone.

LaChasse came from the LAPD, where he was a command staff officer and left as a Deputy Chief.  During his time there he led patrol, detective, traffic, intelligence, narcotics, community relations, facilities construction, and administrative components. From 202 to 2008 he had been responsible for overseeing the security of Paramount Pictures Corporation.

Last year it was announced that a nationwide search would take place for a new police chief, a move that would cost the city about $100,000 and had been criticized by newly elected councilman Bob Frutos.  The move comes the day after the General Election which saw Jess Talamantes and Dr. David Gordon returned to the council while current Mayor Dave Golonski was ousted.

Chief LaChasse has a national reputation as one of the top commanders in the country and is a member of several organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, FBI National Academy Associates, California Peace Officers Association, William H. Parker Los Angeles Police Foundation, Chief Special Agents Association, California Police Chiefs Association,  Challengers Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors, Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County Executive Board, and Los Angeles Police Museum Board of Directors. He also provides instruction nationally and internationally to public officials and law enforcement officers on the command of critical incidents.

“I am deeply honored by this appointment as Burbank’s Chief of Police and the confidence that has been placed in me,” says Chief LaChasse. “I am committed to maintaining and strengthening strong internal and external partnerships. Continuous improvement is part of our Core Values, and I plan to build on the solid progress of the past three years to move the Burbank Police Department into a permanent place of preeminence within the local law enforcement community. Also, I am grateful to work with such a talented personnel contingent and the City’s exemplary executive team.”