Chief Paul LeBaron began his career in law enforcement in January of 1993. He spent 27 years serving with the Long Beach Police Department. In April of 2020 he was hired to lead the Hermosa Beach Police Department as their Chief of Police. His professional experience includes serving as the Chief of Staff to the Chief of Police, Port Operations Commander, Patrol Commander, Detectives Commander, Watch Commander, Field Training Officer and Field Training Supervisor, Bicycle Patrol, Vice Investigations, Internal Affairs, Public Information Officer and Narcotics Supervisor. Paul has also spent time as a police academy instructor, racial profiling instructor, and cultural diversity instructor. Paul is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Communication Studies. He earned his master’s degree in management and organizational leadership from American Military University and a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia. He is a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership institute (SLI) Class #177, USC Executive Leadership Course, and the FBI National Academy Class #261.
In his spare time Paul is also an adjunct faculty member at California State University Long Beach, teaching in the Criminal Justice Department as well as a member of the Law and Legislative Committee for the California Peace Officers Association, Chair for the California Police Chief’s Association Annual Training Symposium and an adjunct staff member at the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance. Paul enjoys stand up paddle boarding in the ocean and playing soccer competitively. Paul has been married to his wife Jennifer for over 30 years and has 3 children, two daughters in law and over 60 nieces and nephews. He is the fifth in a family of eight children. Paul speaks fluent Spanish and spends numerous hours volunteering his time training parents and educators about the dangers of drug abuse and social media.