By Brett Callwood
GPD Chief of Police Michael Saffell retires to cheers & tears
When the City of Gardena released the news in April that Chief Mike Saffell would be retiring effective June 5, concluding a proud 32-year career in public safety (six years as Chief of Police for the City of Gardena), the response was a simultaneous mix of shock, immense pride & gratitude.
From the start of his journey in law enforcement in 1993, through his promotion to Gardena’s 11th Chief of Police in 2019, Chief Saffell has been a standard-bearer for integrity and decency. As mentioned in the city’s statement, “Under his leadership, the Gardena Police Department saw the successful recruitment and restaffing of nearly 50 percent of its personnel. He navigated the agency through a 90 percent turnover in managerial and supervisory positions, making operational modifications from a citywide structural deficit that led to layoffs and furloughs, the unprecedented demands of a global pandemic, and critical reforms spurred by calls for social justice. Chief Saffell also championed sweeping use-of-force policy changes and implemented comprehensive training to align with evolving state mandates.”
Mayor Tasha Cerda was appropriately lavish with her praise. Her bond with Chief Saffell goes back 20 years working closely in Neighborhood Watch meetings. “As much as it saddens me to see the Chief retire, I’m also happy to see him spend this time with family and friends. The Chief has given so much to the City of Gardena, and in the two decades we’ve worked together, he has always emphasized his commitment to the department and community with a hands-on approach. He truly is a shining example of how one person can make a difference in the lives of so many.”
City Manager Clint Osorio expressed his appreciation in the same City statement. “It is with mixed emotions that I accept Chief Saffell’s intent to retire at the beginning of June after an amazing and successful 32-year career dedicating his life to the service of others. He led our remarkable police department, filled with dedicated professionals, who have built and earned the trust of our community. He has had an outstanding 32-year career with the police department including 30-years as police officer. His tour of duty has been completed. Chief Saffell will be missed, and I thank him for transitioning the police department to an even higher level of performance.”
Reflecting on his time in service, Chief Saffell shared: “Gardena is home to me. I love this department and this community. I grew up in this community, was educated by this community, and served a majority of my life in this community. I have been honored to work for so many great people over three decades. I could not be more pleased with what we have accomplished together as a department, and I have full confidence that our command staff, supervisors, police officers, and professional staff are well positioned to guide the department into the future. I have profound gratefulness for Mayor Tasha Cerda, Mayor Pro Tem Rodney Tanaka, our city council, and City Manager Clint Osorio, who trusted me to lead the police department. I appreciate their leadership. Our City Manager and City Council (past and present) have done, and continue to do, remarkable work to maintain Gardena as a great place to live and work. Gardena is fortunate to have such quality leadership. I am truly fortunate to have worked with such outstanding people.”
Eternally humble, Saffell thanked “the men and women of the Gardena Police Department, the City of Gardena Directors, the Gardena Police Foundation, and each member of the Gardena community for their enthusiasm, support, and for bringing joy to his life every day.”
As word spread across the city, both Gardena Valley News and the City of Gardena received numerous requests to comment or send well wishes to Saffell.
Chad Amerine wrote, “First and foremost, thank you so much for being such a great leader of this department and a role model to many here. In 2020, when I told my mom I was lateraling from Hermosa Beach PD to Gardena PD, she was nervous about the transition because of how busy Gardena can get at times. I assured her that it would be fine because of the training that I would get. My mom (being who she is) was still not convinced and asked you when I was being sworn in to the Gardena PD, “How do I know that my son will be safe here? Tell me he will be fine.” Chief, your response was, “I can assure you he will be fine. We will look after him because he is part of our family now. He has over 90 brothers and sisters who will look after him from this point on.” It was from that statement that my mom knew that this was the best decision I have made and knew I was going to be taken care of. My mom sensed a big form of trust from you and comfort. Chief, you made this department not just a place to work but a place I can call home as well. You have always been there when I needed support, and you have made sure to set time aside for my career development. Thank you for being the best Chief ever.”
Chief Manny Cid of the Glendale Police Department knows the sort of challenges that Chief Saffell has faced, and he wrote to say, “Chief Saffell will be sorely missed, not just by the Gardena Police Department and the Gardena community, but also by the other 44 Police Chiefs around LA County. Mike has been with the LA County Police Chiefs group for the last six years and is a leader amongst leaders, the type of Chief other Chiefs call for advice. More personally, Mike has been a great friend and confidant to me over the years. There is no greater measure of a leader than how you make the people around you better, and Chief Saffell always had a positive impact on the people around him, me included. Congrats my friend, and good luck in your next chapter!”
Chief Saffell’s compassion was the overwhelming sentiment including the experience of Annie Roddy, who served alongside Chief Saffell as an Ambassador & commissioner within the city of Gardena.
“Coming up on two years of losing my husband, Chief Saffell implemented a Crisis Program within the police department in Memory of my husband,” she said. My husband was tragically killed in a traffic collision in a nearby city. I grew up in Gardena and now reside as a resident here for a number of years. Chief Saffell went well beyond to comfort, aid and assist me at what was the worst time of my life. Mike has been an important part of my life. He checks in with me regularly and truly cares for the residents in this community. This town will always be important to him and what he has left behind. Chief instilled upon me that the hardest part of being a leader is doing the right thing regardless of the personal or professional negative impact it can have on your career. Good leaders figure out how to deal with adverse consequences. Great leaders don’t have to because they are hard-wired to do the right thing all the time. These clearly are not my words, they are the words of our Chief. These are words that he lives by. Gardena was a better place to live because of what Mike brought to the table. He will long be remembered in this great city. Here’s wishing him only the Good and True as he embarks on his next journey.”
Jen Harris, founder and executive director of Connected to Lead, wrote to say, “Mike, you are one of the greatest servant leaders of my lifetime. Your wisdom, leadership, and love have helped me become the person I am today. I will forever be grateful for your impact and the many ways you have helped shape my life and our community. Thank you!”
Wayne Jackson, a member of the Haas Avenue Block Club chaired by his mother Brenda Jackson, has witnessed the rise of Chief Saffell’s career, the legacy he’s left behind and commented on the example he set for others to come: “We have seen Chief Saffell’s rise from our commander in District 1 to the sitting Chief of Police. And at each of those intervals, we have been impressed with the Chief’s constant prioritization of community first throughout his career. As he leaves for retirement, Chief Saffell has cemented a legacy of community minded policing which is imparted on those whom he has mentored. Also a tough act to follow up here in District 1 as he set the standard as district commander and pillar of our community. As he moves on to bigger and better adventures, we thank him for his service and wish him many years of fun and memories with his loving family.”
Diane Morita has been a Gardena resident since 1960. She remembers Saffell’s unique way of bringing people together. “My experience with Chief Saffel has been nothing short of exceptional,” she said. “He has made significant strides in uniting our community and the city of Gardena. His genuine care for our community is evident in his attentive listening and his proactive approach to addressing our concerns. He is a leader who prioritizes training his officers to enhance our community’s quality of life, and I can confidently say that I know of no other police department that enjoys such strong support from its citizens.”
Retired Support Services Betty King wrote: “To know Mike Saffell was to know you had a friend that showed you respect and support when you needed it. He always took the time to listen and guide you when it was needed. Mike and I had a great relationship as coworkers and as supervisors. When he became my Lieutenant, I knew I had someone in my corner who would support me as a civilian Supervisor by showing respect for my position in the department. I am honored to call him a friend. Good luck Mike, on your retirement. You earned it! And remember to in ‘Breathe.’”
Tamara Williams, Recreation Facility Director for the City of Los Angeles, described the Chief enthusiastically: “Integrity, compassion, honesty, and true desire to Serve and Protect, are just a few words that describe who he is and what he embodies. My eyes are welled up, my heart aches and I am sad. However, Chief, you deserve to retire and live life. As you and Christie embark on the retirement journey, I hope you live life and have fun. Now, this brings me joy! As I dry my eyes and smile, I say well done Chief Saffell, you will truly be missed.”
A familiar face at city events, Stuart Gorsky said: “As the Director of the Gardena Disaster Communications Service, I have worked very closely with Chief Saffell to maintain and advance disaster preparedness in the city of Gardena. Over the years Chief Saffell has provided me with expert advice when making difficult policy decisions, and by providing our citizen-based origination with continuing educational opportunities and communications hardware appropriation. Chief “Mike” has always appreciated what our citizen-based organization has been accomplishing and has gone out of his way to help us meet and exceed our disaster preparedness mandate for the city. We (I) will miss his guidance but will flourish with the knowledge he has instilled in me.”
Finally, City Manager Clint Osorio was eager to say, “Chief Saffell has been one of the most important members of the City’s team and is instrumental to our continued success and growth. I wish Mike much joy and happiness in his retirement and I can’t wait to hear about his next adventures in life.”
Chief Saffell, The City of Gardena will forever be indebted to you and your years of service to this city. The dedication you provided up until the last minute of your tenure, will have an everlasting effect on the Police Department and the entire community. We may be losing a cornerstone of our team, but the community gains with respect to the lasting legacy of your service. Congratulations and best wishes on a well-earned retirement.
Chief Saffell’s final day of service will be Thursday, June 5, 2025.
