Costa Mesa Police Chief Bryan Glass will retire in September after 26 years with the department
Costa Mesa Police Chief Bryan Glass — who has logged 26 years of service with the department, including 18 months at its helm — announced Wednesday he will retire from his post in September.
In a release issued by the city, the chief remarked on the privilege of leading the Costa Mesa Police Department through the rigors of 2020, calling it “a year like no other” that saw not only a nationwide pandemic but a string of Black Lives Matter rallies that sometimes called for a defunding of police units.
“I’m grateful for the support I have received from the community, City Council, city manager, city staff and my family,” he said in the release. “I am proud to serve with the members of the Costa Mesa Police Department and the department’s success is a result of their professionalism, resilience, hard work and dedication.”
Glass, who turns 50 in September, plans to remain at the department until Sept. 2.
During his tenure, Glass emphasized the importance of community policing and engaging with members of the public by fostering collaborations and partnerships.
He also led the effort to improve infrastructure systems within the department, including the rollout of a new in-car video system, body-worn officer cameras and overseeing a project involving new mobile data computers.
First hired by CMPD in October 1995, Glass graduated from the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy five months later. As an officer, he worked a variety of assignments, working in patrol services, SWAT, the gang unit and serving as a narcotics and vice detective, among others.
He rose through the ranks, becoming a sergeant and later being tapped as the chief’s adjutant and a press information officer for the department.
In 2010 he was promoted to lieutenant, where he was first assigned to work in field operations administration. This was followed by assignments overseeing the Telecommunications Bureau, Patrol Services’ Area 2 command and the Professional Standards Bureau. For a time, he served as SWAT commander.
Though the hard work may have been its own reward, Glass’ dedication to the department paid off in 2015, when he was promoted to captain overseeing the Investigative Services, Records & Evidence and Telecommunications bureaus.
Three years into his service at that level, he was named captain of the Field Operations Division, which placed him in charge of patrol services, field operations administration, traffic safety and the department’s SWAT team.
Appointed to the position of chief by Costa Mesa City Manager Lori Ann Farrell Harrison in 2019, Glass has worked to ensure stability and continuity within CMPD and continue to strengthen community policing.
“I’m so proud of the work Chief Glass has done during one of the most challenging times in history,” Farrell Harrison said in the city’s release. “[He] has been a guiding light for us during some dark and uncertain times this past year as we faced multiple challenges including a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic and civil unrest.”
Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens thanked Glass for leading the department through 2020’s stormy seas while also navigating the many fiscal challenges that arose during his time as captain.
“I respect and admire Chief Glass. He’s been an exemplary chief during a very challenging time in Costa Mesa,” Stephens said in the release. “He has served our community well over his distinguished career.”
Under his leadership, the Costa Mesa Police Department overcame a period of historic staffing vacancies and was instrumental in lobbying for two more officer positions that were incorporated into the city’s budget this year. Currently, the department is operating at staffing levels not seen since 2012.
Recently, the department came under scrutiny after three officer-involved shootings between Jan. 31 and March 11. Those incidents, and a fourth shooting, are currently being investigated by the Orange County district attorney’s office.
A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Glass had deployments in Japan, Somalia and Africa, where he participated in Operation Restore Hope before being honorably discharged in 1995 at the rank of sergeant.
He received a bachelor’s degree in social science from Chapman University and went on to earn a master’s degree in Public Administration from Cal State Long Beach.
The city will hire an executive search firm to conduct a nationwide search for Glass’ replacement.
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