Chief Paul LeBaron was appointed as the Chief of Police for the Hermosa Beach Police Department on April 16, 2020.

Prior to joining the Hermosa Beach Police Department he served the Long Beach Police Department in Los Angeles County, CA for 27 years. Assignments included serving as the Commander of the Port Police Division in the Port of Long Beach, Chief of Staff to the Chief of Police, Patrol Commander, Detectives Commander, Watch Commander, Field Training Officer and Field Training Supervisor, Bicycle Patrol, Vice Investigations, Internal Affairs, Public Information Officer and Narcotics Supervisor. Chief LeBaron has served as a police academy instructor, racial profiling instructor, and cultural diversity instructor.

Chief LeBaron is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach with a degree in Communication Studies. He earned his master’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership from American Military University and a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice from the University of Virginia. He graduated from Sherman Block Leadership institute (SLI) Class #177, USC Executive Leadership Class, and the FBI National Academy Class #261.

He is also an adjunct staff member at the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance and a faculty member at California State University Long Beach where he teaches classes in Criminal Justice. Chief LeBaron has been married to his wife Jennifer for 28 years and is the proud father of three adult children.

Landon Phillips grew up in the South Bay and has been a part of the Hermosa Beach Community since a very young age.  Captain Phillips began his career with the Hermosa Beach Police Department in 2002 and worked as a Patrol Officer, Traffic Officer, Traffic Investigator, and Field Training Officer.  Captain Phillips promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2009 and worked as a Patrol Sergeant, Field Training Supervisor, Area G Supervisor, Background Investigator, Training Manager, and Internal Affairs Investigator.  Captain Phillips promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2016 and has managed all three divisions of the Police Department.  Captain Phillips promoted to the rank of Captain in 2023 and currently manages the Investigative and Administrative Services Division. 

Captain Phillips earned his master’s degree in Emergency Services Administration from California State University Long Beach.  He has graduated from multiple advanced training courses which includes the POST Executive Development Course, the California Police Chief’s Association’s Executive Leadership Institute, The Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and the LAPD Leadership Program.  Lieutenant Phillips has earned multiple POST certificates and is certified as a POST Academy Instructor.

Captain Phillips enjoys martial arts and is one of the departments defensive tactics instructors.  Captain Phillips believes in utilizing technology to assist officers in the performance of their duties and implemented the departments body worn camera and drone programs.  Captain Phillips is a member of multiple boards and committees of the Interoperability Network of the South Bay (INSB) which works to enhance police and fire radio communications. 

Eric Cahalan began his career with the Hermosa Beach Police Department in August 2003. Prior to joining HBPD he was employed as a Probation Officer with the Orange County Probation Department

Captain Cahalan was most recently the Detective Supervisor and has worked several assignments including Patrol, Field Training Officer, Watch Commander, and Detectives. He spent 5 years with a special investigations task force. Additionally, he has worked with South Bay’s vulnerable populations as part of the Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST) and the Mental Health Evaluation Team (MET). In 2018, he received the Centurion Award for Excellence in Multi-Agency Investigations from the Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles for his lead investigative role in a fraud and identity theft case. 

Captain Cahalan was promoted to his current rank in August 2024 and currently oversees the Patrol Bureau.