Gardena honors retiring police chief, promotes Deputy Chief Todd Fox and recognizes Explorer post victory

The Gardena City Council on May 20 presented a resolution commending Michael Seffel for 32 years with the Gardena Police Department and approved an employment agreement promoting Deputy Chief Todd Fox to chief of police effective June 6, 2025.

The resolution of commendation, read aloud at the meeting, praised Seffel’s multi‑decade service and listed his ranks and dates of service. Council members and community leaders praised Seffel for community policing work and long service at the podium. Seffel told the council, “It’s been the honor of a lifetime,” and listed programs and staffing milestones he said his command staff had helped implement.

The council then voted to promote Deputy Chief Todd Fox. The council approved a two‑year employment agreement (effective 06/06/2025 through 06/01/2027) with an annual salary of $272,002.35; staff estimated the change would save the general fund about $220,000 over the two‑year term. Fox, who has served with Gardena since 2001 and was promoted to deputy chief in December 2024, told the council he was “deeply humbled” by the appointment and pledged to continue the department’s community partnerships.

The meeting also included a certificate of recognition for Gardena Police Explorers Post 142 after the post won first place overall at the 2025 Battle of the Badges Explorer Competition in Brea, California (May 17–18). Sergeant Tyler Nash and advisors introduced returning explorers and described the weeks of training that preceded the competition.

Nut graf: The council combined ceremonial recognition with a formal personnel action: Seffel’s retirement was acknowledged publicly and the council voted to install Fox as chief, a two‑year appointment that the staff says preserves continuity while saving money in the short term.

In the body of the meeting, council members repeatedly thanked Seffel for community outreach and his work steering district policing, while police union leaders and community pastors presented plaques and tributes. Sergeant Nash told the council the explorers trained two to three hours a day for two months before the competition. The chief’s staff and command team were singled out repeatedly at the dais for work on staffing, community programs and new equipment.

Ending: The council and community will hold retirement events and smaller receptions in the coming weeks; the promotion takes effect June 6. The city posted the retirement resolution and the employment agreement for public record at the meeting.