Chief Roy Nakamura became Arcadia’s 30th Police Chief and its first of Asian-American descent on January 9, 2021. Captain Nakamura began his career with the Arcadia Police Department in 1992 as a Police Officer. As an Officer, he was assigned to Patrol and worked as a Field Training Officer, as well as being assigned to the Detective Bureau. As Detective, he was assigned to the Forgery and Fraud Unit and completed his Detective Bureau assignment in the Crimes Against Persons Unit. He was promoted to Sergeant in 2002 and worked as a Field Supervisor until he was transferred to Personnel and Training. In 2009, Captain Nakamura was promoted to Lieutenant, working various assignments under the Operations and Administration Divisions within the Department, including Watch Commander, Detective Bureau Commander, Field Training Officers Program Commander, and Force Training Unit Commander. In 2019, he was promoted to Captain. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cal Poly Pomona.
Arcadia Police Department has a new police chief. His name is Bob Guthrie and has been serving as interim police chief since Bob Sanderson retired in April. He joined the Arcadia Police Department as a cadet in 1989.
Services were held Wednesday for George Robert Secrest, a retired police sergeant of the Arcadia Police Department, who died June 9. Secrest had been a law enforcement officer for 26 years. Recently he had been employed by Huntington Bank.
Arcadia Fire Chief Kurt Norwood announces his retirement. He began his career in Arcadia in March, 1987 as a firefighter. His last day will be July 9. See also Mountain Views News, p. 6, June 18, 2016.
Arcadia City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto has appointed Captain Roy Nakamura as the city's 30th police chief. He is a 28-year veteran of the Arcadia Police Department. He succeeds Chief Robert T. Guthrie, who is retiring. Nakamura is the first police chief of Japanese and Asian descent in a city that once temporarily incarcerated Japanese and Japanese-Americans at Santa Anita Park. Arcadia's population is currently 60.8% Asian.
Ron Garner, 50, a deputy police chief in Beverly Hills with 24 years of police experience, has been named to head the Arcadia Police Department. He will lead a staff of 76 sworn officers and 26 civilian personnel.
Dorothy Denne, longtime Arcadia humorist, "Mother of the Force" honored by Arcadia Police Foundation at the Arcadia Police Foundation's Halloween Hoopla. Arcadia Mayor April Verlato and her husband attended. For 20 years, Dorothy wrote a weekly column called "Dorothy's Place" in Arcadia Weekly. She was a teacher for her career and has been a volunteer at the Arcadia Police Department. In 2015 she spearheaded the effort to bring back the K-9 program.
Neal Johnson, 59, is stepping down as Police Chief after 38 years as an Arcadia police officer. He plans to work for an international security management company and open an office for the firm in Arcadia. He is also the national chairman for law enforcement sponsored Explorer Scouts.
Brad Beck, 23, had his stolen car found just 2 blocks from his house the next day, yet he didn't receive it until 10 days and $173 in impounding fees later. He wants the Arcadia Police Department to reimburse him.
Bob Sanderson is the new chief of police in Arcadia now that Dave Hinig has retired. Hinig discusses his retirement plans and Sanderson discusses his new duties.
