The City of South Pasadena is pleased to announce the selection of Derek Elmore as the new Police Chief of the South Pasadena Police Department. Chief Elmore brings more than 33 years of distinguished law enforcement experience, including nearly two decades in executive and command-level leadership roles with the Phoenix Police Department, one of the largest police departments in the nation.
Chief Elmore most recently served as Commander of the Drug Enforcement Bureau for the Phoenix Police Department, overseeing complex investigations involving narcotics trafficking, human exploitation, and trafficking, while coordinating efforts with local, state, and federal partners.
Previously, he served as Executive Assistant Chief, providing day-to-day executive oversight of a department comprising approximately 2,500 sworn officers and more than 1,000 professional staff, managing nearly a $1 billion operating budget.
Throughout his career, Chief Elmore has demonstrated a strong commitment to collaborative leadership, organizational accountability, officer wellness, and building lasting community trust. His experience includes commanding the department’s largest patrol precinct, serving more than 310,000 residents, overseeing professional standards and internal accountability systems, and working closely with city leadership, oversight entities, and labor organizations to foster fair and equitable practices. Notably, he negotiated and co-authored the first Memorandum of Understanding between the Phoenix Police Department and the City’s Office of Accountability and Transparency, strengthening cooperation and public confidence.
Chief Elmore’s leadership also includes managing complex, high-profile public safety operations. He played a key role in public safety planning and staffing for Super Bowl LVII, ensuring uninterrupted patrol services, investigative operations, and protection of critical infrastructure.
Widely recognized for fostering open communication, encouraging innovation, and building strong partnerships with community organizations, faith-based groups, and civic leaders, Chief Elmore has also developed best practices in areas such as crime reduction strategies, First Amendment response, continuous improvement in policing, and cross-training to strengthen organizational resilience.
In addition to his operational experience, Chief Elmore contributes to the profession through teaching, mentorship, and national leadership development programs. He is a graduate of the Major Cities Chiefs Association Police Executive Leadership Institute and has received numerous awards, including the U.S. Attorney General’s Award for Community Outreach and Training.
Chief Elmore holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Claremont McKenna College and is a graduate of the Phoenix Regional Police Academy. He officially began his service as South Pasadena’s Police Chief on Monday, February 2, 2026.
