Burbank elevates interim police chief of three years to permanent status
Scott LaChasse -- Burbank’s interim police chief who was brought on three years ago to reform a department plagued with allegations of excessive force, discrimination and sexual harassment -- has been appointed to the position permanently, effective immediately, officials announced Wednesday.
During his tenure in Burbank, LaChasse has instituted several reforms to the police department, “offering stability” through reorganization, strengthening internal affairs investigation procedures, improving officer training and creating contemporary use of force policies and review procedures, Interim City Manager Ken Pulskamp, who made the decision, said in a statement.
The law enforcement veteran who spent more than 30 years at the Los Angeles Police Department has proven “that he’s the individual most qualified to raise our police standards to the highest level and ensure they remain there,” Pulskamp said.
Before coming to Burbank, LaChasse served as LAPD deputy chief, managing nearly 1,600 police personnel in South Los Angeles.
In a statement, LaChasse said he was “deeply honored” by the appointment. He added that he plans to “build on the solid progress of the past three years” to move the department “into a permanent place of preeminence within the local law enforcement community.”
-- Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com