Arcadia Chief of Police Roy Nakamura announced his retirement Wednesday after 34 years with the APD.
Nakamura has been chief since 2021 and was the first Asian American to lead the department, city officials said. His final day on the job will be July 31.
“I am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had during my career in law enforcement, and I thank my family and friends who have supported me throughout this journey,” Nakamura said in a statement. “It has been an honor and privilege to lead the men and women of the Arcadia Police Department.”
Officials said during his tenure, Nakamura prioritized community safety, reducing crime, modernizing the department’s technologies and strengthening recruitment and training of officers.
Nakamura began his APD career in 1992 as a police officer and rose through the ranks to sergeant in 2002, lieutenant in 2009 and captain in 2019.
“Under Chief Nakamura’s leadership, the Police Department expanded its use of technology to enhance crime-solving efforts, strengthened community ties through a robust Neighborhood Watch program, and successfully recruited and retained a highly talented workforce,” City Manager Dominic Lazzaretto said in a statement. “Chief Nakamura has led the Arcadia Police Department with integrity, professionalism, and a strong commitment to continuous improvement. I am grateful he chose Arcadia more than three decades ago and thank him for his many contributions to our community.”
The process now begins to find the city’s next permanent police chief, officials said.