Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse, Fearless Reformer, Announces Retirement

Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse will retire July 6, concluding a 51-year law enforcement career. LaChasse’s decision was announced by the city in a May 27 news release.

Chief LaChasse has been involved as a local law enforcement officer and private security professional since March 1970, when he joined the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Following a 32-year career with the LAPD, having worked scores of diverse assignments, Chief LaChasse retired as a Deputy Chief. His final assignment was Commanding Officer of Operations-South Bureau, a command of approximately 1800 personnel. Chief LaChasse then assumed a new role in the private security sector as the Vice President of Studio Protection for Paramount Pictures Corporation. After his retirement from Paramount Pictures, he transitioned to Southern California Edison as the Manager of Regulatory Compliance.

LaChasse was appointed chief on January 7, 2010. He took over a department reeling from numerous scandals, lawsuits, and a high-profile department suicide.

LaChasse’s primary mission was to change the culture of BPD. An ardent advocate of community policing, he adopted a new mission statement; implemented a new audit schedule; brought in the Office of Independent Review (OIR) to conduct audits of citizen complaints, use of force, and bias; and embraced the six pillars of President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Under his leadership, SWAT was expanded; in-car and body-worn cameras were deployed; the Mental Health Evaluation Team (MHET) was created; and the BPD was accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). He also helped BPD vastly expand outreach to its Spanish and Armenian-speaking communities.

“I want to thank Chief LaChasse for all his service to the Burbank community,” City Manager Justin Hess said in a statement. “Over eleven years ago, the Chief came to the department at a time of turmoil and uncertainty. From implementing progressive policing policies to instilling strong organizational values and a culture of continuous improvement, the Chief leaves an impressive legacy. His leadership will be felt for many years in the future through the innovations and systems that he brought to the BPD. The Chief’s sincerity, openness and engagement with the community have served to build public trust and legitimacy.”