Get to Know Aliso Viejo's New Police Chief

There's a new police chief in town. Lt. John MacPherson spent three years as a patrol sergeant in Aliso Viejo, and on Friday he returns as the top cop. Patch interviewed MacPherson about his new role and how he plans to be reacquainted with the city.

Patch: How do you feel returning to Aliso Viejo?

MacPherson: It's a great community. They've been nominated in the past as one of the safest communities in Orange County. I liked working there on patrol and I really intend on being very involved and engaged in the community.

Patch: Your last role with the sheriff was as department commander. What were your responsibilities in that position?

MacPherson: It's the point of contact 24/7 for anybody who wants to contact the Sheriff's Department. If anyone, anywhere wants a representative of the sheriff, I'm the one they call. That's one of my jobs, but really what I'm in charge of is, anywhere in the Sheriff's operational area, if there's a crime or a major incident, I'm responsible for the initial response.

I'm the one that's monitoring (deputies') responses, what assets are needed, to make sure our protocols are followed correctly.

Patch: What are your feelings going into your first chief of police position?

MacPherson: I'm excited. I think there's going to be a lot of challenges. Aliso Viejo has almost 49,000 people, there's a lot of responsibility there. I'm excited about the challenges, meeting new people, the residents, the businesses and working with everybody. I'm looking forward to it.

Patch: What will you be doing first?

MacPherson: Initially I'll be working with the crime prevention specialist there. When she goes out to community meetings, I plan to go with her, to meet the representatives and stakeholders in the community.

I plan on going to a (chamber of commerce) meeting. I'd like to meet with the community, the businesses and get my name out there.

Patch: You spent a lot of your career as a motorcycle officer. How did you like it?

MacPherson: I thought it was a great job and truly thought it was important. I worked a lot around the schools, in San Clemente we worked weekends also.

Patch: Getting a ticket can be a pain. Why are motor officers needed?

MacPherson: It's important that people obey the speed law, they don't run red lights. They cause injury accidents. You don't want to see people getting injured unnecessarily, and motor officers work. When people get tickets, they slow down, but also when people see the motorcycle guys giving tickets, they see and slow down too. And I think that's the goal of a city. I don't think there's anything else out there that's that effective."

Current Administrative Sgt. D.J. Haldeman, the second in command in Aliso Viejo, said he's worked with MacPherson often in the past. He said he expects they will share the same vision for law enforcement in Aliso.

"The communication and the vision will probably be very similar," Haldeman said. "Working side by side on many occasions, I think his vision for the city and police services will very much coincide with mine."