Santa Monica Police Chief Announces Retirement

SANTA MONICA, CA — Santa Monica's first black female police officer and the state's first black female police chief announced on Friday she will step down as Santa Monica's top cop at the end of September.

Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks' 36-year career in law enforcement will end effective Sept. 30.

“The distinctive spark that has carried Chief Seabrooks to ever-advancing roles of leadership was there from her time as a patrol officer,” Santa Monica City Manager Rick Cole said. “She will leave an indelible mark on the Santa Monica Police Department and we will miss her relentless focus on fighting crime, engaging our community and making our department a model of 21st Century constitutional policing.”

A national search will be conducted to find her successor. An interim chief will serve while the search is being conducted, said Santa Monica Public Information Officer Constance Farrell.

"I am both pleased at and appreciative for the opportunity to have worked with our community, those in municipal administration, and the men and women of the Santa Monica Police Department as we collectively made Santa Monica a safer place," Seabrooks said.

"While I will miss all that is unique and wonderful about Santa Monica, I know the city and the police department are well prepared for this transition," she said.

Seabrooks began her career at SMPD as its first African-American female patrol officer in 1982. In 2007, she again made history when she became chief of police for the Inglewood Police Department, becoming California’s first African-American woman to serve as police chief for a municipality.

Seabrooks returned to Santa Monica to be its police chief in 2012.

"Chief Seabrooks is a person of great integrity who is widely respected in the community and nationally," Santa Monica Mayor Ted Winterer said. "She has protected this city and upheld our values for three decades and for that we are grateful."

— Photo courtesy of the SMPD