PORT OF LOS ANGELES NAMES TOM GAZSI
AS A NEW DEPUTY POLICE CHIEF

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — December 8, 2014  —  The Port of Los Angeles has appointed Tom Gazsi, the former City of Costa Mesa Police Chief, as a new deputy chief of police.  Gazsi will oversee the Emergency Management and Field Operations Group for the Port Police.

“We’re very fortunate to have Tom as part of our Port Police executive command team,” said Los Angeles Port Police Chief Ronald Boyd. “Someone of his caliber and depth of emergency services experience will be a great asset as we look to further develop our emergency preparedness and disaster planning efforts.”

Reporting to Chief Boyd, Gazsi joins two other chiefs on the Port Police executive command team – Assistant Chief Michael Hillman, who handles day-to-day Port Police operations, and Deputy Chief Paul Lipscomb, who oversees the Port’s Maritime Law Enforcement Training Center (MLETC) training and development activities. 

Gazsi’s emergency management responsibilities will include planning and managing resources for emergency events and disasters, whether natural or man-made.  He will also oversee emergency preparedness for the Port’s 43 linear miles of waterfront and 7,500 acres that make up the Port complex.

“I’m excited about this unique opportunity to specialize in emergency management, particularly in the maritime environment,” said Gazsi. “Minimizing the impact of an emergency or disaster starts with effective planning and training, so that will be an immediate priority in the days ahead.”

Gazsi served as Chief of the Costa Mesa Police Department for three years. Prior to that, he was with the Newport Beach Police Department for 32 years, where he began as a cadet in 1979 and rose to the rank of captain.

The Los Angeles Port Police is one of the nation’s few police forces dedicated exclusively to seaport activities. Founded in 1911, the agency enforces all federal, state, and local laws applicable to Port responsibilities, including cargo protection, pollution investigation, vessel traffic control and narcotics interdiction.

The Port of Los Angeles is America’s premier port and has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy as well as the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates more than 830,000 regional jobs and $35 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. The Port of Los Angeles – A cleaner port.  A brighter future.