The City of Signal Hill announced today that Carl Charles has been appointed the interim chief of police for the Signal Hill Police Department.
Charles comes to Signal Hill after a 28-year career in law enforcement with the City of Downey, where he retired from in 2018 after serving six years as chief of police.
According to a statement from the City of Signal Hill, during his tenure in Downey, Charles was credited with equipping all officers with body-worn cameras, installing license-plate readers citywide, forming a homeless outreach team, developing a citizen volunteer program, reinstituting the K9 program and a partnership with Los Angeles County Mental Health to allow mental health professionals to ride with officers.
Charles will begin his tenure with the Signal Hill Police Department on Nov. 15 of this year.
“I consider it a privilege to step into this interim role with a focus on moving the department forward and initiating the process of preparing the Signal Hill Police Department to handle future challenges, as law enforcement continues to adapt to the ever-changing landscape,” Charles said in a statement.
Charles holds a bachelor of arts in criminology and corrections from California State University, Northridge and a master of public administration from the University of Southern California.
“I am excited to have Chief Charles join our City team as the interim chief and look forward to his leadership of the Signal Hill Police Department,” Mayor Edward H.J. Wilson said in a statement. “He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience in public safety, law enforcement, and community policing and will continue to move the police department forward during this transitional time.”
Former Chief of Police Christopher Nunley announced his retirement on Sept. 21.
