Irvine’s police chief to retire next month

Irvine Police Chief Mike Hamel will retire next month after 27 years with the department, the last six as chief, officials announced Tuesday.

The department’s assistant chief, Michael Kent, has been appointed to succeed Hamel, whose retirement will become effective Oct. 7. Kent is a longtime Irvine resident who graduated from Woodbridge High School.

Kent participated in the IPD’s Explorers program for youths interested in law enforcement careers. He was hired as an officer with the department in 2002.

Kent’s positions with the department have included patrol sergeant, Office of Professional Development sergeant, investigations, SWAT and operations lieutenant and detective.

Hamel was a Los Angeles police officer for two years before joining the IPD in 1995. Hamel was a SWAT operator, training and recruitment lieutenant and deputy chief before becoming chief in 2015.

Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan described Hamel as “a person of high integrity, character and an unrelenting resolve to serve Irvine in the most professional manner possible.”

Source: Orange County Register