LAGUNA NIGUEL

The selection Tuesday of Lt. Linda Spreine as the city’s new police chief marks the first time a woman has headed police services for any of the nine cities that contract with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Spreine, most recently a sergeant in the sex crimes division of the Sheriff’s Department, will replace Capt. Joe Davis, the city’s longtime head of police services. She has more than 25 years of law enforcement experience. Her husband, Jim Spreine, is police chief for Laguna Beach.

Davis, who had served the city since 1990, was promoted to captain last month and will serve in the county’s emergency communications bureau.