Robert Dunn became the chief of the Torrance Police Department Sunday after serving as interim chief since July 28.
Dunn joined the department in 2023 as assistant chief after serving as chief of the Fullerton Police Department. City Manager Aram Chaparyan announced Wednesday that Dunn would hold the position on a permanent basis.
“His focus on building strong leadership teams and fostering meaningful community partnerships makes him the right leader to take the Torrance Police Department to the next level,” Chaparyan said in a statement.
Dunn began his law enforcement career in 1993 with the Anaheim Police Department as a police explorer and was sworn in as an officer in 2001.
He held a variety of assignments, including explorer advisor, recruitment team member, graffiti task force investigator, community policing officer, and training officer, according to city officials.
Dunn was promoted to sergeant in 2008 and supervised the Anaheim Police Department’s K-9 Unit. He later was the Anaheim Police Department’s public safety information officer.
Dunn was promoted again five years later to lieutenant, serving as a watch commander, executive officer, and commander of several divisions, including gang intervention, youth services, district command, and professional standards.
Dunn joined the Fullerton Police Department in 2018 as a captain, overseeing the Support Services Division, which included investigations, forensic services, community services, the city jail facility and the department’s civilian and professional staff.
Dunn was appointed acting chief of the Fullerton Police Department later in 2018 and chief in 2019.
Dunn has a bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. He received a master’s degree in education.