Claremont Police Chief Announces Retirement

CLAREMONT, CA — The city’s chief of police announced Thursday that she will retire next month from the Claremont Police Department after 28 years in law enforcement.

Chief Shelly Vander Veen did not give a reason for her departure but said in a statement that she was proud of her time at the department. Her last day will be Nov. 10.

“I am incredibly proud and honored to have served the city of Claremont for 28 years, starting as a reserve police officer in 1993 and ending my career as police chief,” she said. “The integrity, teamwork, and professionalism of our police department has been rewarding and inspirational.”

Vander Veen’s departure will be a “big loss for Claremont,” City Manager Adam Pirrie said in a statement. There has been no talk of who will be tapped to replace her, but Pirrie added that Vander Veen has made it a point to “mentor and train her management team to ensure a smooth transition.”

“The police department’s management team is prepared and ready to keep the department moving in a positive direction,” Pirrie said.

Vander Veen grew up in Chino and graduated from Siena Heights University in Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, according to Claremont officials.

She was hired as a full-time police officer in Claremont based on her “hard work and potential” shortly after she joined the department as a reserve officer, officials said. Vander Veen then moved up the ranks of the department before being sworn in as chief of police in 2016.

During her time at the Claremont Police Department, Vander Veen was named officer of the year twice, supervisor of the year four times and city employee of the year in 2013, officials said.