Laguna Beach police chief resigns after just four months on the job

Laguna Beach Police Chief Robert Thompson has resigned, just four months after taking the helm of the department.

City officials confirmed Friday evening that Thompson and the city of Laguna Beach agreed to terminate their employment relationship. Thompson will officially leave the city’s service on May 28 and continue to be compensated through the end of June.

Effective immediately, Capt. Jeff Calvert — a member of the Laguna Beach force who has been in law enforcement for 24 years — will be acting as the interim police chief.

“The public safety of our community is paramount and I have full faith that Captain Calvert will guide the Laguna Beach Police Department through this transition to ensure community and police force safety,” said City Manager John Pietig in a statement.

City officials said the statement released Friday would be the only statement released or made by all involved parties.

The reasons for Thompson’s resignation were unclear and requests for comment were not immediately answered. Thompson first stepped into his role as the city’s police chief on Jan. 18 this year to replace retiring former Police Chief Laura Farinella.

Thompson was selected from 47 candidates that applied from the job and only 10 went on to be interviewed by a panel of professionals and city executives, according to Pietig in February.

He was previously the police chief in Dixon, Calif.

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