HPD in front of the Lincoln Memorial, May 2012
Our Mission
[fade]The mission of the Hawthorne Police Department is to provide a safe and secure community for its citizens while at the same time promoting a high degree of professionalism and respect for human dignity.[/fade]
Our Vision
[fade]To be a strong and effective organization through open communication, teamwork, mutual respect, and a partnership with the community, willing to pioneer innovative approaches to law enforcement.[/fade]
HPD in front of the US Capitol, Wash DC, May 2012
ABOUT US
A progressively modern police agency with a renowned family-feel. Founded in 1922 and located in the heart of Los Angeles County, the Hawthorne Police Department provides services and innovations that set us apart from all. Coffee with a Cop, Ride to Live, Tactical First Aid, and 'Scottie' are current examples of how HPD continues to push staff-driven ideas into programs that set the bar in innovative approaches to community policing.
With nearly 100 officers and 60 support staff serving an ever growing community of over 95,000 (home of the Beach Boys, Northrop Corporation, and more recently SpaceX and Tesla Motors Design), the department maintains its technical edge by being the only department in the South Bay with its own Helicopter, Tactical Medicine Program, Armored Rescue Vehicle, and state of the art Police Facility.
Police CHIEF eric lane
Chief Eric Lane
Chief Eric Lane
Captain Chris Port
Photos by Erick Chavez
HPD past LEADERSHIP
Chief Michael Heffner 2006 to 2010
Chief Coleman E. Young: 1970 - 1981
HPD Leadership
Captain Eric Lane,Chief Gary Tomatani, and Chief Michael Ishii
The photo was taken in 2022 at Chief Ishii’s retirement.
Hawthorne PD is one of the last agencies in the area to promote all Chiefs from within the organization. This is a testament to the leadership’s hyper focus on maintaining a culture prioritizing leadership development and succession planning.
HPD Leadership
Chief Robert Fager, Chief Stephen Port, Chief Michael Ishii
The photo was taken in 2022 at Chief Ishii’s retirement.
Four years later, we again gathered to make the leadership transition. Captain Gary Tomatani took over the leadership of HPD in 2023. One of Chief Ishii’s top priorities was to develop capable and effective leaders from within the department. HPD’s Chiefs continue to support one another even after retirement.
HPD Leadership
Chief Robert Fager, Chief Stephen Port, Chief Michael Ishii
The photo was taken in 2018 at Chief Fager’s retirement and Chief Ishii’s appointment.
We are fortunate to have HPD’s Chiefs continue to support one another even after retirement. All Chiefs have come from within the organization. This shows how the department’s culture values succession planning and the internal development of leaders. This allows our unique culture to continue across multiple generations. Knowing the history of our organization enables the current generation to keep a strong identity and maintain HPD Culture.
HPD Leadership
Kenneth Stonebreaker (left) and Harold Martin (right). The parade photo is from 1976 in front of Chaffee Ford for the annual parade. (photo submitted by Brett Bigelow)
