Max Subin Takes Oath as Beverly Hills Police Chief

After 27 years inside the Beverly Hills Police Department, Max Subin formally took the oath as the city's new Chief of Police during a ceremony outside Beverly Hills City Hall, surrounded by city leaders, fellow law enforcement officials, family members and members of the community.

The ceremony marked the formal installation of a chief La Verne Police Chief Sam Gonzalez presents Beverly Hills Police Chief Max Subin with a plaque welcoming him to the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association.

La Verne Police Chief Sam Gonzalez presents Beverly Hills Police Chief Max Subin with a plaque welcoming him to the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association.

Subin joined BHPD in 1999 and has served in patrol, crime suppression, the Detective Bureau, Community Relations and Professional Standards. He later commanded the Investigative Services Division and Administrative Services Division before being selected to succeed retiring Chief Mark Stainbrook.

Mayor Craig Corman welcomed Subin before the oath and emphasized both the city's reputation for public safety and Subin's experience across virtually every area of the department.

"Chief Subin, literally, has worked in every corner of our police department, and every part of our city."

Corman said Subin had earned the trust of both colleagues and the broader Beverly Hills community during more than a quarter century of service.

"Put simply, no one is more qualified to lead our 150 plus sworn police officers and 110 plus member civilian police department staff."

The mayor also credited BHPD's increasing use of technology, including its Real Time Watch Center, while stressing that technology alone does not create effective public safety.

"But as we know, technology can only go so far. It's the people who use the technology that make all the difference."

The evening began with a presentation of colors by the BHPD Honor Guard, followed by an invocation from Rabbi Eli Bruner of Beth Jacob Congregation, who spoke about Subin's leadership and his longstanding concern for both officers and their families.

Bruner said he had known Subin since his years as a detective, when they worked together on efforts involving the safety and security of Jewish institutions throughout the community.

"That assignment reflected something I have continued to see in him throughout the years. His genuine concern, not only for the safety of his officers, but also for their well being and the well being of their families."

Bruner then offered a prayer asking for wisdom, courage and humility as Subin assumes responsibility for leading the department.

"Grant him wisdom and understanding, courage and humility. Give him the clarity to make difficult decisions, the patience to listen, and the strength to remain true to his principles, even when the path before him is not easy."

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman administered the oath of office.

Before doing so, Hochman, who described himself as a lifelong Beverly Hills resident, praised the department's history and told Subin that he was inheriting an organization built over generations of law enforcement leadership.

"You are standing on the shoulders of some law enforcement giants."

Hochman also pledged cooperation between the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and BHPD under Subin's leadership.

"I will be looking forward to being a partner in the district attorney's office with you."

Subin then raised his right hand and took the oath to support and defend the constitutions of the United States and California and to faithfully discharge the duties of Chief of Police.

Following the oath, representatives of the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association welcomed Subin into the organization and presented him with a plaque recognizing his appointment.

When Subin stepped to the podium for his first formal remarks as chief, he began by acknowledging the size of the crowd gathered outside City Hall.

"I am proud to stand here as a new police chief for the city of Beverly Hills."

Subin said he was particularly honored that Beverly Hills chose to promote from inside the department.

"I'm so honored that city leadership chose to promote from within. The department has been my home for 27 years."

He told the audience that he did not take lightly the responsibility of leading an organization where he has spent nearly three decades working alongside many of the people he will now command.

"I've had the privilege of working alongside so many of you, and I do not take lightly the trust that has been placed in me to lead this organization."

Subin also used much of his speech to recognize his family, including his wife, Heather, and daughters Mia and Lila, along with mentors, retired officers and colleagues who influenced his career.

He recalled that his path to Beverly Hills began after a chance encounter with a friend who had recently been hired by BHPD and encouraged him to apply.

"Join BHPD in 1999 was the best decision I've ever made."

Subin described his career as one that included rewarding and difficult moments, but said the commitment of sworn officers and civilian employees remained constant.

"Through it all, the men and women of this department, including our civilian staff, have worked tirelessly to keep public safety first."

He then laid out the three principles he said have guided him throughout his career and will continue to shape his leadership of BHPD.

"Three principles have guided me at every rank, and they keep me centered today. Trust, leadership, and efficiency."

Subin said those principles influence how he makes decisions, treats people and approaches the delivery of police services.

"Those three will shape how I make decisions, how I treat people, how I lead, how we, BHPD, deliver services to the community."

Relationships, he said, will also be central to his approach as chief.

"Relationships matter."

Subin said that includes relationships with officers, the Beverly Hills Police Officers Association, city departments, residents, businesses and local and federal law enforcement partners.

He also emphasized the role of the City Council in maintaining BHPD's capabilities and thanked current and previous councils for supporting public safety.

"Our current council and previous councils have always committed to providing the police department with whatever we need."

Looking ahead, Subin said one of his priorities will be developing the next generation of BHPD leadership from both the sworn and civilian ranks.

"I will build a sustainable succession pipeline for the next generation of leaders, sworn and civilian alike."

Subin's promotion became effective June 27. His career began as an Explorer and Cadet with the Santa Monica Police Department before he joined BHPD in 1999. He later earned both a bachelor's degree and a Master of Public Administration from California State University, Northridge and completed the California Police Chiefs Executive Leadership Institute at the Drucker School of Management in 2021.

For Subin, however, the ceremony focused less on a change of title than on continuity inside the department where he has spent most of his professional life.

Now leading the organization he joined as a young officer in 1999, Subin begins his tenure emphasizing internal leadership development, relationships across the community and the principle he repeatedly returned to throughout the evening: keeping public safety first.