Police Chief Todd Mattern celebrated his last day with the City of Los Alamitos on Sunday, Jan. 24 and his retirement celebration was held Jan. 28.
Todd Mattern began his law enforcement career as a police aide with the City of Cypress in 1984, while he studied criminal justice at Golden West College. In 1985, he enrolled in the Golden West College Police Academy as an independent recruit and shortly after graduation, he was appointed as a reserve police officer in Cypress. In 1986, Chief Mattern joined the Los Alamitos Police Department as a full-time police officer, where he has worked a variety of assignments, including patrol, investigations, press information officer, Special Weapons and Tactics, administration, and as an investigator with the Orange County Regional Narcotics Suppression Program. In 1987, Chief Mattern was recognized as the Officer of the Year.
He worked as a Recruit Training Officer for the Police Basic Course at the Golden West College Criminal Justice Training Center from 1997 – 2004. He believes mentoring recruits and helping to shape their careers has been one of the most rewarding aspects of his law enforcement career.
In 2008, Todd Mattern became the eighth Chief of Police in the City of Los Alamitos and he holds the distinction of being the first officer in Los Alamitos’ history to rise through the ranks to head the Department. Chief Mattern recently completed a 4-year term on the board of directors of the Orange County Chiefs of Police and Sheriff’s Association and served as their president in 2013/2014.
He received his AA degree from Coastline Community College after earning his Certificate of Achievement in Administration of Justice at Golden West College, and his BS degree in Occupational Studies from California State University, Long Beach. Additionally, Chief Mattern is a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy. In 2012, Golden West College awarded Chief Mattern with the Pillar of Achievement Award, which recognizes selected alumni who have achieved notable recognition in their field of endeavor.
Chief Mattern is sincerely fond of the community he serves. He sits on the Boards of the Casa Youth Shelter and Los Alamitos Medical Center. He is also the immediate past president and proud member of the Los Alamitos-Seal Beach Rotary Club and was named as the club’s 2011-2012 Rotarian of the Year. Also in 2012, Rotary District 5320 named Chief Mattern their Business Rotarian of the Year for Leadership Excellence.
Chief Mattern looks forward to spending more time with his wife, Rosalia, and their two grown children.
