Mark Matsuda has become the first Asian American to become police chief in Torrance in Southern California, reports the Daily Breeze.
Matsuda has worked as acting chief since February when John Neu retired to take care of his ailing wife.
The selection of Matsuda was described as taking place during a “sweeping demographic change in the community,” by the Daily Breeze.
Matsuda was one of several internal candidates for the job and has worked in the department’s gang unit for three years and crime impact team for five.
“We’re not looking to make any big changes,” he said. “I want to hear from the department, hear from the community. … I look forward to working with other departments in the city that contribute to the overall safety of the city of Torrance.”
Asian Americans now make up 34.5 percent of Torrance’s population.