Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) Capt. Max Subin will serve as the next Beverly Hills Chief of Police.
Subin is a 27-year BHPD veteran and currently oversees the administrative services division, which manages personnel, records, communications and the budget. Incoming City Manager Ryan Gohlich announced Subin’s appointment at the June 23 City Council meeting ahead of Chief Mark Stainbrook’s retirement.
“He’s risen through the ranks from a patrol officer to a detective to a sergeant, lieutenant and currently has been a captain since 2021 and I could not think of a more well-qualified individual,” Gohlich said. “Max is not just a part of the department and understands what makes it so special; he really has become a part of the community over his years in the city. He understands what the community’s expectations are. He understands how to get things done in the city and really provide the level of service that has come to be expected over the years.”
Gohlich said that it had been more than 40 years since a chief was hired from inside the department.
Subin has previously held positions in patrol, crime suppression, the detective bureau, community relations and the professional standards unit. As chief, he will lead a department with 154 sworn and 112 civilian staff.
“I am thankful to Ryan, the City Council, members of BHPD and the community for the support and trust they have placed in me,” Subin said in a statement. “I am proud and humbled to work with the dedicated members of this department and pledge that the safety of this city will always be priority No. 1.”
Subin will begin his tenure as chief on June 27.
The council also recognized outgoing City Manager Nancy Hunt-Coffey ahead of her retirement.
“Over the course of her 18 years in Beverly Hills, Nancy has left an indelible mark on her city government. She is respected not only for her leadership, but for her humility and grace,” Mayor Craig Corman said. “Those who have had the privilege of working with Nancy know her accomplishments are only matched by her warmth and wonderful sense of humor.”
In other business, the council approved a $695.2 million citywide budget at its June 23 meeting.
The proposed budget projects approximately $675.4 million in revenue. The city’s general fund will consist of an operating budget of $351.6 million and projects $346.7 million in revenue, leaving a $4.9 million deficit.
The budget was approved in a 4-1 vote with Councilmember John Mirisch dissenting, citing that he believed the budget could provide taxpayers more value for their money.
“I’ve long felt that government in general can always do better when it comes to providing taxpayers with value for money,” he said. “I don’t think we’re there yet, and consistent with my votes in the past, I won’t be supporting the budget, but I do recognize that, as said, there has been improvement from some of the past years. There’s still a lot of improvement that can be made.”
The budget allocates $189 million to public safety, including $124.9 million to BHPD, a 6.8% increase from the previous fiscal year, and $64.1 million to the Beverly Hills Fire Department, a 0.2% increase.
Corman previously said that the city’s $10 million projected deficits over the next two years will be paid for by a $19 million estimated surplus from last year.
Councilmember Lester Friedman raised a concern regarding a future capital improvement allocation of $20 million for renovations to BHPD facilities, including a $1.3 to $2 million amount for locker room improvements.
City staff clarified that much of the allocation has historically been used to temporarily relocate different parts of the police department, rather than permanently improving the facilities. The allocation is a placeholder and the council can decide in the future how to disburse the money in phase one of the master plan.
Vice Mayor Mary Wells commended Hunt-Coffey in her work to put together a fiscally responsible budget.
“I would like to thank Nancy, because I think she’s really been a leader, and you’re working with all of the departments to really try and be more efficient in how we’ve been spending our money as a city,” Wells said. “My focus is always about maintaining our public safety, investing in our critical infrastructure and maintaining our very high exceptional services and quality of life in our city, while managing our financial health.”
Corman also commended the city’s approach in crafting its budget.
“This is a responsible document,” Corman said. “It’s a responsible budget, it’s conservative, and it’s a roadmap to keep us on a financially healthy path.”
