Deputy Chief Tom Angel leaves Burbank Police Department to rejoin L.A. County Sheriff’s Department

Burbank police on Tuesday bid farewell to Deputy Chief Tom Angel, who, after five years guiding the agency through “tumultuous” times, is headed back to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, where he spent more than 30 years.

Burbank Police Chief Scott LaChasse recognized Angel, 64, for bringing stability to the agency during trying times. He was given the task of turning around a department at the time beset by allegations of excessive use of force and discrimination lawsuits initiated by members of the department.

“He was standing right up on the pilot’s house guiding the ship,” LaChasse said at the farewell reception.

Prior to joining the Burbank force, Angel spent 33 years with the sheriff’s department, where he retired as division chief, managing seven stations and more than 1,400 employees.

He’ll return next month as chief of staff for Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell, who is implementing reforms in a department under federal scrutiny for jail brutality and corruption.

Angel’s departure has been in the works for roughly two months, when McDonnell called and asked him to return to the sheriff’s department after getting LaChasse’s blessing, he said.

“The best of the best always get recruited,” said Burbank Mayor Bob Frutos. “You have the right stuff.”