Dominick Rivetti has been selected as Interim Chief of the Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD), according to City Manager George Chavez. The Beverly Hills City Council is scheduled to vote on the Rivetti appointment at its May 19 meeting.
Rivetti is a familiar figure in the City, having previously served as Interim BHPD Chief in 2015 after he retired as Chief of the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation.
During his 40-year career in law enforcement, Rivetti also served as Chief of Police for the City of San Fernando.
“I am honored to once again have an opportunity to serve the Beverly Hills community,” said Rivetti. “I look forward to supporting the dedicated members of the department as they work to keep this City safe and maintain an exceptional quality of life.”
The BHPD has come under scrutiny during the four-year tenure of Chief Sandra Spagnoli, whose retirement takes effect as of May 15. While lauded for resolving cases such as the Nessah Synagogue vandalism incident, Spagnoli also brought controversy in the form of civil lawsuits filed by more than a dozen plaintiffs. Those lawsuits resulted in judgments, monetary settlements and defense attorney’s fees amounting in the millions.
“I am so pleased to welcome Dominick back to Beverly Hills,” said Chavez in his May 13 announcement about Rivetti. Chavez added that Rivetti’s previous experience with the department will be a “tremendous assent” as the City moves forward. The next step is to select a new Chief.
“The City Manager and City Council will determine the process and timeline for the recruitment of a permanent Police Chief,” City of Beverly Hills spokesperson Keith Sterling told the Courier.
If approved by the City Council on May 19, Rivetti is expected to begin his work at the BHPD on May 20.
