Former Irvine police chief heading to airport department

Irvine Police Chief David Maggard, who recently announced his retirement from the department, will take a new post with the Los Angeles Airport Police next month.

Starting Nov. 1, Maggard will start work as assistant chief of operations, overseeing patrol, traffic and other security functions, according to an announcement from Los Angeles World Airports Executive Director Deborah Flint and Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Patrick M. Gannon last week.

“I am very excited at having Chief Maggard joining our team,” Gannon said in a prepared statement. “He is recognized regionally and nationally as a forward thinking law enforcement leader/executive.”

The Los Angeles Airport Police’s 1,100 officers and civilian employees handle law-enforcement duties at Los Angeles International, Los Angeles/Ontario International and Van Nuys airports.

Irvine announced in August that Maggard would retire from the city some time in the next two months.

Deputy Chief Mike Hamel, a 20-year veteran of the IPD, will take over the top job from Maggard.

— Jeremiah Dobruck