The Redondo Beach Police Department was established in the 1920s. The first Chief of Police was John V. Henry. The Department consisted of the Chief and 13 sworn members (officers) and 1 non-sworn member. This police force served a popluation of 4, 913 residents. The first police station was located at Emerald and Bonita Streets. There were no police radios to communicate between the station and the Officers. A large horn and light controlled by the police department were placed on a tall pole at the end of Emerald Street. When there was a call or an officer, station personnel would blast the horn and turn on the light. The officer would then call the station to find out where he was needed. 




The current police building was constructed in 1956. The Department consisted of Chief Curt Richardson and 69 sworn members (officers) and 3 non-sworn members. This police force served a population of 46,986 residents. Police radio communications were in place at this time. The police facility at that time, was capable of housing the entire department.




In 1971, as the Department became larger and the City population started to rise, a new communications center was build under the grassy area between the Police and City Hall buildings. The police building was left unchanged.




Today, the Police Department consists of Chief Mel Nichols and 109 sworn members (officers) plus 57 non-sworn members. The current police force serves a population of 68,600 residents. The population in the summer can swell to over 100,000 due to beach visitors and tourism.

The present police facility can no longer house the entire Department. The Investigations Division (Detectives, Special Investigations Unit, Crime Lab, Juvenile Unit and Crime Analysis Unit) is located in the basement of the School District building at Vincent and Pacific Coast Highway. The Traffic Unit is located in an area behind the station that was a Property & Evidence warehouse. The Property & Evidence warehouse is now located on North Gertruda. Having the Department fragmented has created interdepartmental communications problems. The current facility was built in an era when the Police Department was all male. It does not adequately accommodate the growing number of female employees. The facility is not properly equipped to handle the handicapped, as required by law, and is not up to earthquake standards. In addition, the facility requires excessive maintenance. During 1999, the main police station has undergone extensive upgrades to the air handling systems, electrical systems, and lighting.

The dedicated officers and civilian personnel who work together to provide protection and quality service to residents of Redondo Beach welcome your interest in our history.