Behind the Badge
Editor’s note: This just in, a news release from the City of Garden Grove:
Garden Grove City Manager Scott Stiles has named Captain Tom DaRé as the City’s new Chief of Police. DaRé (pronounced Daray) is a Garden Grove native and a 29-year veteran of the Garden Grove Police Department. He officially begins his new assignment on April 20, 2019, replacing retired Police Chief Todd Elgin.
“Being born and raised in Garden Grove, and then joining the department in my early 20’s, it’s a tremendous honor for me to now serve as Garden Grove Police Chief. It’s my privilege to give back to the community I grew up in,” says DaRé.
Captain Tom DaRé has been promoted to chief of the Garden Grove Police Department.
Provided by the Garden Grove Police Department
“Captain DaRé’s passion and commitment to the Garden Grove Police Department are second to none. He is a consummate professional in every sense, true to his calling, his department, and the community he cares for so deeply. I know Garden Grove will proudly embrace him as their new police chief,” says Stiles.
DaRé began his career with the City as a police cadet in 1990. A year later, he became a reserve police officer, and in 1992, was hired as a police recruit. In 1997, he was promoted to master officer, and to sergeant in 2002. In 2015, he became a lieutenant overseeing the SRT (Special Resource Team homeless task force) as well as the Grove District-Anaheim Resort area. In 2017, he was promoted to captain and assigned to managing the largest division of the police department that includes patrol, gangs, traffic unit, narcotics, and SWAT.
Garden Grove Police Captain Thomas DaRé smiles as he welcomes attendees to a GGPD Citizens Academy class in this file photo from October 2017.
File photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge
A graduate of Garden Grove High School, DaRé obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Phoenix, and has received numerous awards and commendations from the department, including the Medal of Courage, Medal of Merit, and several Class A commendations. He holds membership in a number of community organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove and the Garden Grove Community Foundation, and with professional organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the California Police Chief’s Association.
DaRé fills the top spot following the recently-announced retirement of current Police Chief Todd Elgin, a 32-year veteran of the department.
