Crime & Safety

Palos Verdes Estates Appoints New Chief of Police

Palos Verdes Estates appointed Tony Best as the new Chief of Police, city officials announced.

Tony Best was appointed to Palos Verdes Estates Chief of Police, city officials announced this week.
Tony Best was appointed to Palos Verdes Estates Chief of Police, city officials announced this week. (Courtesy of the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department)

PALOS VERDES ESTATES, CA — Palos Verdes Estates appointed Tony Best as the new Chief of Police, city officials announced Wednesday.

Best has more than 25 years of service with the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department and has served as the Acting Chief since November 2020.

"The City is eager to have him serve as a permanent leader," officials announced.

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Best started his career with the city as a dispatcher and jailer. He's served in almost every capacity, including police officer, motorcycle officer, canine officer, corporal, field training officer, sergeant and captain.

He has led training, operations, and support services and helped lead the department through its most challenging times, city officials said. Chief Best provided support for the Police Ad Hoc Committee recommendations that resulted in City Council’s decision on January 30, 2021, to retain the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department rather than contract with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

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"Chief Best’s experience, dedication to the City’s community policing model, and strong leadership skills make him the right person to lead the department through its next evolution as recommendations from the Police Ad Hoc Committee are put into action," city officials said. "He understands both the benefits and challenges of leading a small police department in today’s world, and is committed to making the department viable for the long-term.

City Manager Laura Guglielmo expressed her support of Chief Best for this position.

“I can think of no one more qualified to serve as Chief of this Police Department than Tony Best," Guglielmo said in a statement. "He brings exceptional integrity, personal commitment, and unsurpassed knowledge of our City and the needs of our residents, and stakeholders and Police Department employees to this role. He is the right person at exactly the right time!”

Mayor Michael Kemps enthusiastically supported the selection.

“At this critical juncture, Chief Best’s promotion from within provides the Department with calm, experienced leadership," Kemps said a statement. "We are delighted to move the Department to the next level, by ensuring accountability while continuing to build culture from within.”

Best shared his response to the new position.

“I am truly honored to be in this position and proud to lead a department of so many dedicated professionals,” Best said in a statement. “Palos Verdes Estates has a unique and special character and keeping it a safe place to live, work, and visit is my top priority. I look forward to the challenges ahead and working with department members, city staff, and residents to meet the needs of the community. “

Before joining the department, Chief Best served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Cal State Long Beach and a Master’s Degree from National University. In 2016, Best graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.


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