Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Chad Taylor, a 22-year department veteran, took over as Lake Forest Chief of Police Services on Friday, March 15. Taylor replaces Brad Valentine, who was promoted to Captain and assigned to the OC Courts. “We are thrilled to have Lt. Taylor as our new Chief of Police Services,” Mayor Mark Tettemer said. “We are confident he will continue the tradition of excellent service and safety that our residents receive through the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.”
This isn’t Taylor’s first tour of duty in Lake Forest. He patrolled the City as a deputy from 2002 to 2007 and also served as a Field Training Officer, coaching young deputies in the City. Additionally, Taylor is a Certified Flight Instructor who trains OCSD helicopter pilots. “I enjoyed my time in Lake Forest and view it as one of the best times in my career,” Taylor said. “I believe I have a solid reputation as a leader and for building strong relationships … I pledge to continue to work diligently and demonstrate the highest level of competency possible to the residents of Lake Forest.”
Taylor was last assigned as a Watch Commander in the Intake Release Center in Santa Ana, supervising more than 100 sworn staff members responsible for more than 800 inmates. He also worked in the department’s Internal Affairs Division and in plainclothes with the OC Transit Authority.
Taylor earned his Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Business Management at Vanguard University. He was selected by City leaders from a panel of lieutenants recommended by the OCSD.
Lake Forest is patrolled by 33 deputies, three motor officers and a commercial enforcement deputy. Three investigators and five sergeants and eight non-sworn OCSD employees, along with a contingent of Sheriff’s Team of Active Retired Seniors (STARS), round out Police Services. The City enjoys a low crime rate, with the fifth-lowest level of serious crimes per capita among the 13 cities patrolled by OCSD. ###
Photo Credit: City of Lake Forest
Media Contact: Jonathan Volzke, Sr. Communications and Marketing Analyst
