Police Department Announces New Police Chief
Published on February 02, 2026
February 2, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer Colby, Public Affairs Manager
Phone: 626-403-7215
Email: jcolby@southpasadenaca.gov
Subject: South Pasadena Police Department Announces New Police Chief
South Pasadena, Calif. – The City of South Pasadena is pleased to announce the selection of Derek Elmore as the new Police Chief of the South Pasadena Police Department. Chief Elmore brings more than 33 years of distinguished law enforcement experience, including nearly two decades in executive and command-level leadership roles with the Phoenix Police Department, one of the largest police departments in the nation.
Chief Elmore most recently served as Commander of the Drug Enforcement Bureau for the Phoenix Police Department, overseeing complex investigations involving narcotics trafficking, human exploitation and trafficking, and coordinated efforts with local, state and federal partners. Previously, he served as Executive Assistant Chief, providing day-to-day executive oversight of a department comprising of approximately 2,500 sworn officers and more than 1,000 professional staff, with responsibility for nearly a $1 billion operating budget.
Throughout his career, Chief Elmore has demonstrated a strong commitment to collaborative leadership, organizational accountability, officer wellness, and building lasting community trust. His experience includes commanding the department’s largest patrol precinct, serving more than 310,000 residents, overseeing professional standards and internal accountability systems, and working closely with city leadership, oversight entities, and labor organizations to foster fair and equitable practices. Notably, he negotiated and co-authored the first Memorandum of Understanding between the Phoenix Police Department and the City’s Office of Accountability and Transparency, strengthening cooperation and public confidence.
Chief Elmore’s leadership experience also includes managing complex, high-profile public safety operations. Chief Elmore played a key role in public safety planning and staffing for Super Bowl LVII, ensuring uninterrupted patrol services, investigative operations, and protection of critical infrastructure.
Chief Elmore is widely recognized for fostering open communication, encouraging innovation, and building strong partnerships with community organizations, faith-based groups, and civic leaders. He has played a key role in developing best practices in areas such as crime reduction strategies, First Amendment response, continuous improvement in policing, and cross-training to strengthen organizational resilience.
In addition to his operational experience, Chief Elmore has contributed to the profession through teaching, mentorship, and national leadership development programs. He is a graduate of the Major Cities Chiefs Association Police Executive Leadership Institute and has received numerous awards, including the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Community Outreach and Training.
Chief Elmore holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Claremont McKenna College and is a graduate of the Phoenix Regional Police Academy. He officially began his service as South Pasadena’s Police Chief on Monday, February 2, 2026.
About the City of South Pasadena
The City of South Pasadena is a charming community, situated only six miles from downtown Los Angeles. Called the City of Trees, the area is known for its stunning homes, unique small businesses, and top-quality schools. South Pasadena’s diverse population of about 25,000 occupies a mere 3.44 square miles of flatlands and hillsides on the west side of the San Gabriel Valley. This small-town atmosphere makes South Pasadena one of California's most desirable locations.
For more information about the City of South Pasadena, visit www.southpasadenaca.gov. Follow us on social media to keep up with the latest news: Facebook, X, Instagram, and YouTube at @southpasadenaca.
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