safety
This deputy police chief was California's highest-paid public employee in 2025
By Ruben Vives at Los Angeles Times - California
· July 11, 2026
· 1 min read
A former Redlands deputy police chief topped California's public payroll in 2025, taking home $1.26 million in total compensation — more than the combined salaries of the mayors of Los Angeles , San Francisco and San Diego, state compensation data show.
Key takeaway 26 million in total compensation — more than the combined salaries of the mayors of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, state compensation data show.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The revelation that a former Redlands deputy police chief was California's highest-paid public employee in 2025 raises questions about compensation practices in local law enforcement. In a region where public safety is a top concern, the fact that one individual's total compensation exceeded $1.26 million is notable. This figure surpasses the combined salaries of the mayors of Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, highlighting the complexities of public employee compensation in California. As Los Angeles residents consider the allocation of city resources, this data point may inform discussions about police department budgets and the distribution of funds within the public safety sector. The city's own compensation practices and budget priorities will likely be scrutinized in light of this information, particularly as officials weigh the needs of various city departments against the costs of supporting public safety initiatives.
About this story
Original reporting by Los Angeles Times - California . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Los Angeles Times - California . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 11, 2026 ·
Source: Los Angeles Times - California ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Los Angeles stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A former Redlands deputy police chief topped California's public payroll in 2025, taking home $1.26 million in total compensation — more than the combined salaries of the mayors of Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego, state compensation data show.
When was this published? This article was first published on July 11, 2026 by Los Angeles Times - California and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ruben Vives at Los Angeles Times - California. To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter