Citrus Heights police chief to leave department next month

Sentinel staff report–
In an announcement Thursday the City of Citrus Heights said its police chief, Ron Lawrence, will be leaving the helm of the local department to take a position leading another police department in Southern California.

Lawrence’s final day with the Citrus Heights Police Department will be Sept. 7, the city said in Thursday’s announcement, noting that an immediate replacement search has already begun.

Lawrence will serve as police chief in Costa Mesa. The city is located in Orange County and has a population of about 20,000 more residents than Citrus Heights.

Costa Mesa’s police chief, Bryan Glass, announced in April that he would be retiring this September, prompting the city to begin a nationwide search for a replacement, according to an area news report.

In Thursday’s announcement, Lawrence said he is grateful to have served as the police chief of Citrus Heights, a position he held since 2016. He previously served as police chief of Rocklin before coming to Citrus Heights to replace then-chief Christopher Boyd who became city manager.

“While I am proud of what our department has accomplished to reduce crime, what stands out to me most is the close, trusting relationships we have forged with this community,” said Lawrence. “Citrus Heights will always have a special place in my heart, and I thank City Manager Boyd for his confidence in me to lead the department after him.”

Boyd, who announced retirement earlier this year and is now serving as interim city manager, called Lawrence an “incredible Police Chief and leader.”

“He has led our men and women in blue through a global pandemic, civic unrest, countless natural disasters, and more,” said Boyd. “His unwavering passion, diplomacy, and motivating leadership style has taken the Citrus Heights Police Department to the next level of quality service. He will be greatly missed, and I wish him all the best in his next endeavor.”

Lawrence’s departure is the latest among several top leaders who have recently announced plans to leave the city. Earlier this year, the city’s assistant city manager announced retirement in February, followed by the city manager announcing retirement in May. An interim appointee has been hired to fulfill the assistant manager’s role, while Boyd was re-hired as interim manager until the city finds a permanent replacement.

The City Council is tasked with selecting a new city manager, while the position of police chief will be directly appointed by the city manager.