Outgoing Redondo Beach Police Chief Gets Key To City: ‘A Chief's Chief’

REDONDO BEACH, CA — The mayor of Redondo Beach presented the police chief with a key to the city at his retirement ceremony Wednesday afternoon.

Addressing the packed room on the second floor of the Redondo Beach Main Library, Mayor Jim Light highlighted Redondo Beach Police Chief Joe Hoffman’s career with the department, which started when he was a volunteer in 1994.

Over the past three decades, Hoffman climbed the ranks, working in nearly every facet of the department, Light said.

Hoffman’s career, he said, was one “defined by service, integrity and leadership.”

His leadership was “inclusive, ethical and grounded in trust,” Light said.

“But on a personal note, … he is a very responsive individual,” Light said. “It doesn't matter what time of day or night, I text him with something I'd see out in the community, and he would respond within minutes.”

City Manager Mike Witzansky echoed the sentiment, praising Hoffman for his commitment to the city.

“What's unique about Redondo and being the chief of Redondo is we have our fair share of crime, we have our fair share of activity,” Witzansky said. “But we have a very exacting and demanding resident base and a city council that seeks excellence not just with the big crimes, but the little things, the quality of life things.”

But even when Hoffman had to handle issues that may have seemed trivial to others, he did so with sincerity, Witzansky said.

“He’s treated those things as critically and with as much priority as he has the big things,” Witzansky said.

Never once did Hoffman complain of handling those issues, publicly or privately, Witzansky said.

“I think that's huge,” Witzansky said. “I look at you as a chief's chief.”

To him, Hoffman said leadership has never been defined by rank or title.

“It's about how you treat people when no one is watching,” Hoffman told the audience.

In his nearly four-year tenure as chief, Hoffman said he hired 167 people and promoted 33 more. Crime has decreased, he said. The department also implemented advanced technology systems. Additionally, the department created a wellness program.

But of all his accomplishments, Hoffman said, it’s not a specific project or statistic that stands out.

“We built an environment where officers and staff could thrive both personally and professionally,” Hoffman said. “That culture, that sense of unity, is what I consider our greatest accomplishment. “

With that, Hoffman said he leaves after three decades, “knowing the department is in exceptional hands.”

“The next generation of leaders is ready,” Hoffman said. “Innovative, compassionate and capable.”

Of all those Hoffman said he owes thanks to for his successful career, it’s his wife, Kristen, whom he owes the most.

“Every phone call, every late night, every missed family event, you've been my foundation and my constant reminder of what really matters,” he said. “As I move into retirement, I look forward to rediscovering that balance, spending more time with family, traveling and reflecting on a life that's been deeply fulfilling."