Days after taking the oath as Beverly Hills’ new police chief, Max Subin outlined his vision for the department’s future – one that embraces emerging technology, prepares for a rapidly changing city and emphasizes leadership rooted in fairness and kindness.

Subin, who officially became chief on June 27 after spending nearly 27 years rising through the ranks of the Beverly Hills Police Department, said he does not envision sweeping changes to an agency he believes already has an exemplary reputation. Instead, he hopes to build upon existing strengths while making strategic improvements that keep the department ahead of evolving challenges, from artificial intelligence and the Metro expansion to population growth and the 2028 Olympic Games.

“It’s been very humbling, and it’s reset a lot of how I view law enforcement, because being the leader of a department, you learn so much … from a different point of view,” Subin said.

“I’ve had a really great reception from a lot of our officers and support staff, as well as the community. The outpouring of the community has been amazing.”

Rather than redefining the department, Subin said his priority is preserving what has made the Beverly Hills Police Department successful while continuously improving how officers serve the public.

“I want to continue that level of excellence and reputation that we have in the law enforcement community, that we do incredible work, that we have relentless follow-up and that we treat everyone with respect,” he said.

One area where Subin sees significant opportunity is technology, particularly the responsible use of artificial intelligence. While emphasizing that any implementation must be ethical, Subin said AI could help officers process the overwhelming amount of data generated by the department’s resources, including the Real-Time Watch Center. He said AI could enhance the Real-Time Watch Center by helping virtual patrol officers monitor camera feeds more efficiently and identify suspicious activity more quickly.

“We have over 3,500 cameras,” he said. “There’s only so much a human can watch and view. AI is creeping its way into law enforcement in a positive way to either look at cameras, and they can see people that are dwelling or stopping, see packages that are dropped or suspicious vehicles that go around the block four or five times.”

The department is also evaluating whether AI can improve service for non-emergency calls. While emergency calls will continue to be handled directly by dispatchers, Subin said AI could assist with lower-priority requests if it proves beneficial for Beverly Hills residents.

“We have to evaluate, is AI best for the community that we all serve?” he said.

The department has already begun incorporating new automated technology through its Live Link system, which automatically sends text updates to residents who report non-emergency incidents, notifying them when their report has been received, providing an incident number and informing them when officers are responding.

Additionally, Subin said one of his top priorities is preparing the next generation of department leaders. After becoming one of the first internally promoted police chiefs in recent Beverly Hills history, Subin said he wants younger officers to believe they can follow the same path.

“The thing I’m really focused on is legacy and succession building, to make sure that we have the next group of leaders ready to take my place when I depart,” he said.

Subin believes promoting from within has already strengthened morale.

“It really provided a sense of calm to the department because they all know me,” he said.

Subin also inherits a department that has experienced labor tensions in recent years. During former Chief Mark Stainbrook’s tenure, the Beverly Hills Police Officers Association was publicly critical of department leadership during contract negotiations and raised concerns about morale, issuing a vote of no confidence in Stainbrook. Subin, a former BHPOA board member who helped negotiate labor agreements before joining the command staff, said he expects to have “a great relationship” with the association and plans to meet with its leadership soon.

As Beverly Hills prepares for major changes over the coming years with increased development, Subin said the department must also take steps to prepare.

He identified the city’s continued residential development under state laws such as the builder’s remedy, the Metro D Line extension and the 2028 Olympic Games as some of the department’s long-term challenges.

“Development is a major issue that is facing a city like Beverly Hills,” Subin said. “You have increased calls for service, increased traffic.”

Ensuring the department remains fully staffed, he said, will be critical as those demands increase. Traffic enforcement will also remain one of his operational priorities as new housing will bring additional residents and vehicles into the city.

Subin also offered an optimistic assessment of the Wilshire/La Cienega Metro station, which opened earlier this year despite concerns from some residents that it would increase crime. The department currently staffs a temporary public safety center adjacent to the station and expects to move into a larger, permanent above-ground facility once construction is complete later this year.

“The reality that we were hearing before from constituents, as well as ridership, as well as police officers that work in the line, has not come to fruition,” he said. “I do not feel the fears that were posed to us are even coming true.”

According to Subin, most arrests made near the station have resulted from proactive policing rather than increased criminal activity generated by Metro riders. He credited the department’s visible presence and coordination with Metro security and leadership for helping ensure the station has operated smoothly.

Despite discussing emerging technologies, staffing strategies and long-term planning, Subin repeatedly returned to a much simpler philosophy that he hopes will define his tenure – treating people with kindness and respect.

“It’s not hard to be kind. I truly believe that,” Subin said.

He said he wants to be remembered as “someone that’s always seen as fair, someone that’s seen as accessible.”

But kindness, he added, should never come at the expense of accountability.

“I never want my benevolence ever to be used in a negative way,” he said. “We have a job for law enforcement. I have a high expectation of all of our staff … I want to be a kind chief, a fair chief, but a chief that has expectations, where everyone lives up to those expectations because the community demands those.”