Chief Jon Lewis was the 10th Chief of Police in the Newport Beach Police Department’s history, assuming office on March 22, 2016 after successfully working his way through the ranks. He honorably retired on December 30, 2022 after serving in this role for nearly seven years. He graduated with honors from California State University, Long Beach, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Speech Communication and also holds a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Chapman University. He is a graduate of several advanced law enforcement training courses including the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute as well as the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College, where he was selected as class speaker. He has authored two university-level text books in criminal justice and was selected as adjunct faculty at Golden West College’s Criminal Justice Training Center and the Center for Criminal Justice Research and Training at California State University Long Beach.
During his tenure as Chief of Police, the Newport Beach Police Department has achieved reduction in crime to historic lows through effective, data-driven community policing strategies as well as excellence in emergency response and 911 call answer times. The Department has developed innovative wellness initiatives in collaboration with national experts, fostering morale, productivity and unparalleled police service. Chief Lewis has held executive leadership positions at the local, county and state levels including: Orange County Chiefs’ and Sheriff’s Association President, Orange County Regional Narcotic Suppression Program Executive Board (RNSP), Orange County Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory Local Executive Board (OCRCFL) and the Orange County Commission to End Homelessness. He currently is a member the Visit Newport Beach and Newport Beach and Company Executive Board and the California Police Chiefs Association Board of Directors. He also was selected by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) as a subject matter expert with the Collaborative Reform Initiative.
He and his wife, Darcy, have two children and reside in Orange County.