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 gary tomatani
Chief Gary Tomatani 2023 to present
Chief Gary Tomatani was appointed to the position in March of 2023, succeeding Chief Michael Ishii, who served as the Police Chief from 2018 until 2022. Chief Tomatani takes over a department with 160 employees, that continues to pride itself on identifying and implementing innovative ideas to improve public safety services in the City and throughout the region.
Chief Tomatani was hired by the Hawthorne Police Department in 1994. He has worked various assignments throughout his career, including Patrol, Special Enforcement Team, School Resource Officer, Crime Free Multi-Housing, Traffic Bureau Commander, Patrol Watch Commander, Detective Bureau Commander, and Administration. He promoted to Sergeant in 2002, Lieutenant in 2007, and Captain in 2019. As a captain, he oversaw the Administrative Services Division.
Chief Tomatani looks forward to re-connecting with the community in person, following two long years of a pandemic that forced the postponement and cancellation of many public events. Expansion of outreach opportunities, recruitment, training, and continuing to increase coordination of effort with other City departments, will be immediate priorities for the organization.
Born in Los Angeles, Chief Tomatani grew up in nearby Torrance. He currently resides in Los Angeles. He has a BA from UC Irvine (Social Ecology) and a MA from CSUDH (Conflict Management). He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the California Police Chiefs Association, and the National Association of Asian American Law Enforcement Commanders.
Captain Eric Lane
Captain Chris Port
Photos by Erick Chavez
HPD past LEADERSHIP
Chief Michael Heffner 2006 to 2010
Chief Stephen Port 1989 to 2006 BIO, ARTICLE
Chief Kenneth Stonebreaker 1981 to 1989 ARTICLE
Chief Coleman E. Young: 1970 - 1981
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)
