The City of Stanton has a new top cop.

Captain Matt Stafford was selected as Stanton's Chief of Police Services and began his assignment on March 6, the city announced. Stafford comes to the role after two decades with the Orange County Sheriff's Department, where he built a career spanning patrol operations, narcotics investigations, human trafficking enforcement, and jail administration.

"We are proud to welcome Captain Stafford to this important leadership role," said Mayor David J. Shawver. "His depth of experience, commitment to public safety, and collaborative leadership style will serve our community well."

Stafford joined the Sheriff's Department in 2004, starting in custody operations before moving to patrol in Lake Forest in 2010. There he became a Field Training Officer and served on the Special Enforcement Team. He moved into investigations in 2015, taking on assignments including the Regional Narcotics Suppression Program.

After promoting to sergeant in 2020, Stafford supervised the North Narcotics, VICE, and Human Trafficking teams — work that earned his unit the California Narcotics Officers' Association Street Level Case of the Year award. He was promoted to lieutenant in 2025, overseeing operations at the James A. Musick Facility, and most recently served as Court Operations Division Captain at the Central Justice Center.

Stafford holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from Cal State Fullerton and a master's degree in criminal justice from Chapman University.

"I'm honored to stand beside the men and women who deliver exceptional service to the great City of Stanton," Stafford said. "I appreciate the opportunity to bring my experience and leadership to support and strengthen this dedicated team."

Stanton contracts its police services through the Orange County Sheriff's Department. The city has roughly 38,000 residents and sits in the heart of North Orange County, bordered by Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Cypress.