New Chief of Police Services begins Friday

He takes over the reins from Lt. Bob Osborne who is leaving Aliso Viejo to serve as Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens’ executive aide.

Lt. MacPherson comes to this vibrant city with a wealth of law enforcement experience, most recently as department commander. He returns to familiar territory in Aliso Viejo where he served as patrol sergeant, a position the City shared with Laguna Hills, from 2007 to 2010. He later served as Laguna Niguel’s administrative sergeant from 2010 to 2012. In that role, Lt. MacPherson assisted the Chief of Police Services with budget oversight, negotiating contractual services with private corporations and overseeing several city-managed volunteer organizations.  In the police chief’s absence, he handled the day-to-day operations of Laguna Niguel Police Services and was the “Incident Commander” during planned events and unexpected incidents. Lt. MacPherson also has experience working in the field as San Clemente’s community oriented police deputy and as a motor officer in Mission Viejo and San Clemente.

Lt. MacPherson begins his new post on Friday as Lt. Osborne bids farewell to Aliso Viejo after four years of service. Under his command, the City achieved its lowest crime rate since its 2001 incorporation.  Aliso Viejo is now the 24th safest city in the nation and 4th safest in the state for cities with a population under 100,000.  Through Lt. Osborne’s guidance and mentoring over the past four years, two deputies have been promoted to the rank of sergeant, three to the rank of investigator, and three deputies were reassigned to the Sheriff’s Training Academy for new police recruits.

Mayor Carmen Cave says Lt. Osborne’s departure is bittersweet.

“The Orange County Sheriff’s Department has always provided us with superior candidates to replace who we have, and we are proud that so many of the deputies, sergeants and lieutenants who have come to Aliso Viejo end up getting promoted onto bigger things,” she said.

Lt. John MacPherson