Deputy Chief Joyce LaPointe has been named the Interim Police Chief to replace outgoing Chief Ron Lawrence, who is retiring this Friday June 27. This maintains the current strong leadership at the Costa Mesa Police Department.
Interim City Manager Cecilia Gallardo-Daly announced her choice of LaPointe to lead the Department.
“In my time working with Joyce, I have been impressed with her professionalism and dedication,” Interim City Manager Gallardo-Daly said. “She is a trusted leader in the department and is well known to the Costa Mesa community. I’m confident she will be a great Interim Chief who will ensure continuity and uphold the department’s key philosophies of customer service and professional responsiveness to the community, businesses, and City officials.”
Mayor John Stephens congratulated Deputy Chief LaPointe on her new role.
“I’ve worked with Deputy Chief LaPointe many times since I began on City Council, and I know her to be a true professional,” said Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens. “She has worked side by side with Chief Lawrence to implement innovative police technologies to assist crime fighting efforts, build trust throughout the community and develop police personnel for future leadership positions. The Department will be in very capable hands with her at the helm.”
Deputy Chief LaPointe said she is grateful for this opportunity.
“Costa Mesa is more than just where I work, it’s where I live, and it’s where I’ve grown both personally and professionally,” said Deputy Chief LaPointe.” I care deeply about this community and I intend to lead with heart, to listen, stay connected, and lead with fairness and accountability. I want to thank the City Council for their continued support, Interim City Manager Gallardo-Daly for entrusting me to lead the hardworking men and women of the Costa Mesa Police Department, and Chief Lawrence for guiding me into this leadership role. I am honored to serve.”
LaPointe was named to the position of deputy chief, the first to hold that role in Department history, in April of 2023.
She began her career in 1997 as a police officer. She held many positions, including patrol officer, FTO, defensive tactics instructor, tactical flight officer, a traffic investigator and more. She promoted to sergeant in 2007, and held various supervisory roles including patrol sergeant, jail sergeant, FTO sergeant, force tactics team supervisor, and emergency management coordinator.
Her strong work ethic and leadership led to promotions as the first female lieutenant, captain, and deputy chief of the department.
Throughout her long and distinguished career in policing, she has completed several advanced law enforcement training courses including the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, Force Science Institute Certificate Course, the Executive Development Courses for both California POST and the California Police Chiefs Association.
Deputy Chief LaPointe earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education and kinesiology from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Tony Dodero
(714) 754-5288
tony.dodero@costamesaca.gov
Roxi Fyad
(714) 754-5282
rfyad@costamesaca.gov