Costa Mesa Hires New Police Chief From Neighboring City

COSTA MESA (CBS/AP) — Costa Mesa's new police chief will be a 32-year veteran from neighboring Newport Beach's police department.

Newport Beach police Captain Tom Gazsi will replace former chief Christopher Shawkey, who resigned in March amid reports that he'd filed expense claims for personal trips, according to Costa Mesa Chief Executive Tom Hatch.

The department has had a series of interim chiefs since, including Steven Staveley, who resigned last month after protesting city council cuts to the police budget.

Gaszi, 51, has worked for the Newport Beach Police Department for more than three decades.

The Costa Mesa native will take the post in about a month and will earn a salary of $206,700.

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