By Don Johnson takes oath as new Los Altos police chief during a ceremony last week

Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier

Town Crier Staff Report

Los Altos City Hall filled its final big department vacancy last week following a year of unprecedented employee turnover.

Police Chief Don Johnson officially took command of the police department Sept. 19 during a swearing-in ceremony at the Los Altos History Museum garden.

City Manager Phil Rose hired Johnson last month following an eight-month search that started immediately after Lucy Carlton announced her intent to retire this fall, ending her 10-year career as police chief in Los Altos.

She and Johnson worked together during a month-long transition period.

Johnson said it’s his style to listen to “tidbits of advice” from longtime city employees who know what the community wants and needs.

“I believe that people are the city’s most important assets,” he said.

Johnson was a captain in the Sunnyvale Public Safety Department before joining the Los Altos Police Department.

He has worked in public safety for 22 years.

Faced with his first potential crisis last week, Johnson doubled the number of patrol officers on duty Sept. 11 and sent them to local schools after terrorists attacked New York and Washington, D.C.

Mayor King Lear said city hall has a marvelous team with the addition of Johnson.