Chief Rachel Johnson became the Chief of Police for the City of Manhattan Beach on August 8, 2022.

Chief Johnson is a United States Marine Corps Veteran. She served in the military from 1997 to 2001 where she attained the rank of Sergeant. During her time of service, she was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Okinawa, Japan and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, CA as an Air Control Electronics Operator. In 2001, she began her career in law enforcement at the Orange County Sheriff’s Department before transferring to the Newport Beach Police Department in 2005. During her tenure in Newport Beach, she worked a variety of assignments which have included; DARE Officer, Field Training Officer, Honor Guard Member, Volunteer and Reserve Coordinator, and Crisis Negotiation Team Member. She was promoted to Sergeant in 2012 where she became a Field Supervisor. She would later supervise the Traffic Division, Special Events and the Major Accident Investigation Team. In 2014 she was awarded the Lifesaving Medal. In 2017, she promoted to Lieutenant where she oversaw Jail operations, the Mounted Unit and the Explorer program. 

Chief Johnson served as Police Captain of the Laguna Beach Police Department from January, 2020 to August 2022, leading the Field Services Division.

Chief Johnson was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She earned her Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Santa Ana College, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Management from the University of Phoenix and Master’s Degree in the Administration of Justice and Security from University of Phoenix. In addition, she is a graduate of Sherman Block Leadership Institute Class 370 and a Graduate of IACP’s Women’s Leadership Institute (WLI).

Professionally, she is involved in the First Battalion, First Marines Foundation and Leadership Tomorrow, Orange County. Chief Johnson is an avid baseball fan, runs half marathons and enjoys backpacking.