SLO and Pismo Beach get new police chiefs

March 10, 2021

Jeff Smith

Pismo Beach City Manager Jim Lewis announced today that he has selected San Luis Obispo’s interim police chief Jeff Smith to head the Pismo Beach Police Department.

For the past 18 years, Smith has worked for the SLO Police Department, serving as chief since Oct. 2020.

“Jeff Smith embodies the qualities that our community has come to expect from the men and women of the Pismo Beach Police Department; humility, honor, trust, selflessness, and service,” Lewis said. “As an accomplished law enforcement professional, Jeff has served proudly and gained the respect and admiration of those that work alongside him.”

The City of San Luis Obispo has selected Rick Scott to serve as their new police chief. Scott is currently employed as the assistant police chief in North Richland Hills, Texas, a city of over 70,000 residents.

“Addressing the historic impact of systemic racism and racial bias in policing was a key consideration in selecting the city’s new police chief,” said City Manager Derek Johnson. “Also, at the top of the list was finding someone who could support and implement meaningful solutions to homelessness, mental health challenges, substance abuse, and other complicated issues that are priorities to address in our community.”


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Since this is a public servant position wouldn’t it be interesting if the interview process was videotaped and made available to the people who will be paying the salary of the person eventually hired. The whole hiring process with these people has been hidden for too long, time to get into the 21st century.


Why do I have the distinct feeling that this guy is better than the new chief SLO just hired? smh.


I sincerely hope the new chief is a good man. Not a special-interest project like Linden or Cantrell, or a problem child like Gesell.


I also hope he doesn’t buy the bull manure about SLO being besieged with “systemic racism.” What an utter load of malarkey!


I guess you can only welcome our new Texan Chief, shower him with blessings and forgiveness should he error in this California job. Pecos Bill Rides A Tornado in Texas, never expected this next chapter.