From Acting Chief Eric Lane
Join me in bidding farewell and wishing a happy retirement to Chief Gary Tomatani after more than 31 years of dedicated service as a police officer with the City of Hawthorne. Chief Tomatani began his career on March 20, 1994, and has honorably served as Chief of Police since December 2022, following the retirement of Chief Michael Ishii.
Over the past three years, he has focused on elevating the professionalism of the Hawthorne Police Department—particularly through stronger collaboration with fellow city departments—while improving service levels, addressing homelessness, and enhancing public safety overall.
Chief Tomatani will also be remembered for creating several innovative assignments within the Hawthorne Police Department. Here are a few of his most notable accomplishments:
Bloodhounds
For over 40 years, the Hawthorne Canine Unit relied primarily on dual-purpose apprehension/patrol dogs, supported by a single-purpose narcotics canine. In 2012, the department made history by becoming the first agency in the nation to add a facility dog, Scottie, to its canine complement.
In April 2022, then-Captain Tomatani received a proposal to introduce a bloodhound to the K-9 Unit. Newly appointed Chief Tomatani approved it to bolster public safety and provide officers and detectives with an additional investigative resource.
Under his leadership, the department welcomed its first bloodhound team—Officer Cody Dahlen and Canine Hannibal—in April 2023. The program’s immediate success led to the addition of a second team, Officer Samantha Naghaway and Canine Kai, in September 2023.
Real-Time Crime Center
Three years ago, the Hawthorne Real-Time Intelligence Center (RTCC) was born. Retired Lieutenant Goetz, under Chief Tomatani’s direction, conducted an in-depth study of best practices nationwide. After traveling extensively to examine existing models, he returned with a clear vision tailored to Hawthorne’s needs.
What began with Lieutenant Robert Mitchell and Sergeant The Vu has grown into a dynamic team that now includes two investigators—Detective Sean Judd and Detective Gonzalo Cardenas—plus dedicated Gang Analyst Julissa Trujillo. The RTCC tackles the toughest, most complex cases, often turning “unsolvable” investigations into successes.
Beyond supporting patrol and internal investigations, the RTCC assists the Detective Bureau and collaborates with neighboring agencies to solve crimes across jurisdictions. It stands as a hub of intelligence, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of justice.
Drone First Responder
Launched in partnership with the RTCC, the Hawthorne Police Department pioneered the region’s first Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program. What started as a modest initiative with informal procedures and a draft policy has evolved into a fully autonomous, robust operation.
These efforts have transformed how the Hawthorne Police Department responds to calls for service—making our community and staff safer while increasing the efficiency of criminal investigations that might otherwise have gone unresolved. Drones now deploy autonomously, providing critical situational awareness and slashing response times. With nearly 20 trained pilots and a growing fleet, Hawthorne has become a trusted provider of aerial support for surrounding agencies as well.
Air-13
Lastly, Chief Tomatani modernized the department’s air program by acquiring its first fixed-wing aircraft: Air-13, a 2010 Cessna Turbo 206H Stationair. This state-of-the-art surveillance platform enhances public safety and combats crime from above.
Equipped with a rear-compartment workstation for the Tactical Flight Observer (TFO), Air-13 features a Trakka Systems TC-375 high-definition, fully stabilized camera with a 15-inch augmented-reality thermal self-tracking system. Starlink satellite connectivity enables the pilot and TFO to stream real-time, high-definition video directly to ground officers and the Real-Time Crime Center, ensuring seamless coordination during critical operations.
Air-13 also supports patrol officers with a bird’s-eye view during high-stakes scenarios—like pursuits or large-scale incidents—delivering faster, more coordinated responses. This versatile aircraft has become an indispensable tool in modern policing, bridging ground units and aerial intelligence.
Chief Tomatani looks forward with optimism to the continued growth and progress of the Hawthorne Police Department and the City of Hawthorne in the years ahead. He will always be remembered for his passion for “squats and deadlifts,” his long hours at the blackjack tables, and his timeless advice: “Always split your eights and aces—and ALWAYS double down on eleven.”
Enjoy your well-deserved retirement, Sir.