Seal Beach Police Dept. Appoints a New Chief

Former Los Alamitos Police Capt. Mike Sellers has been appointed Seal Beach’s police chief, officials announced this week.

He succeeds William Stearns, who has been with the Seal Beach Police Department for 32 years.

“I thank each of you for giving me the honor to serve you,” said Stearns, 51, who received a standing ovation at Monday’s City Council meeting.

Stearns--who is known around town as a proficient saxophone player--joined the Seal Beach force in 1965, becoming chief in 1987. He has been a strong advocate of youth programs and substance abuse education in schools.

Sellers, 45, will begin his new job July 21. His annual salary will be $91,728.

Seal Beach officials said they are eager to begin working with Sellers.

“We all know him because we have worked with him in other jurisdictions,” Police Sgt. Dean Zanone said. “He already has a good working relationship with a lot of people in this department.”

Sellers, a 22-year law-enforcement veteran, won professional achievement awards from the California Peace Officers Assn. in 1988 and 1993.

Before joining Los Alamitos’ force, Sellers worked at the La Palma Police Department from 1975 to 1995.