![Chief Abe Johnson, the town’s first police chief, in 1927.](https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Chief-Abe-Johnson1927.jpg)
![The 17-man sworn force in 1958.](https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/1958-LB-Police.jpg)
Retiring police Chief Paul Workman will crack open the case files on his department’s early days in a Laguna Beach Historical Society presentation at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, at City Hall.
The presentation will include stories about the department’s first leader, Chief Abe Johnson, as well as a later second Chief Johnson, the police station, a “mystery officer” from the 1920s, the shooting death of Officer Gordon French and a recent find in the department’s storage.
![An early era motor officer in an image from the department’s archives.](https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/moto-Laguna-Beach-Police2.jpg)
Workman, who was appointed chief in May 2009, was hired by the department in 1975. He has a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Fullerton and attended the Peace Officer Standards and Training Command College. He also attended the FBI National Academy.
![Pictorial: From a 1940 pictorial map of the city.](https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Police-Department-1940-Pictorial-City-Map.jpg)
![Police Chief Paul Workman’s career with the department began in 1975.](https://www.lagunabeachindy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Workman4.20.09_0153.2.jpg)