GLENDORA >> City officials on Wednesday selected San Pablo Police Chief Lisa G. Rosales to take the reins of the Glendora Police Department as first female chief in the department’s 106-year history.
Rosales has 30 years of law enforcement experience, city officials said in a written statement. A former Glendora resident of 19 years, she served with the Pasadena Police Department from 1987 to 2014, before being selected to head the San Pablo Police Department in 2014.
She replaces former Police Chief Tim Staab, who retired last month of 33 years of service to the Glendora Police Department.
Rosales will begin her duty in Glendora on Feb. 6. Capt. Joe Ward is serving as interim chief in the meantime.
Prior to her career in law enforcement, Rosales grew up in Highland Park and worked as a substitute school teacher.
“Her interest in police work was the result of two friends who in 1977 were kidnapped and murdered around her quiet hometown area. The victims were killed at the hands of the “Hillside Strangler” who terrorized the Los Angeles area in the late-1970’s with the killing of 10 women,” according to the statement.
“While in the teaching field, Rosales somehow knew she had to do more to help people and families in the community terrorized by violent crime,” the statement said. “She was hired by the Pasadena Police Department who sponsored her to attend Rio Hondo Police Academy.”
Rosales has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of San Diego, as well as Masters in Public Administration from the University of La Verne. She is a graduate of the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College Program.
She worked in positions including patrol, detective bureau and administration as she rose through the ranks of law enforcement, officials said.
The selection was made during Wednesday night’s City Council meeting.
Upon accepting a the position as San Pablo’s police chief in 2014, she kept her home in Glendora with plans to return one day, according to the statement.
The Glendora Police Department, with 54 sworn officers and 45 non-sworn employees, is larger that the San Pablo Police Department, which is comprised of 55 officers and 24 civilian employees.
City Manager Chris Jeffers welcomed her back to the community.
“Her desire to contribute and live in Glendora has come true, and we are very fortunate to have her wealth of experience and leadership become part of the Glendora Police Department,” he said.

PHOTO  courtesy of the San Pablo Police Department