MISSION VIEJO : Police Services Head Promoted, Replaced

He wasn’t planning on any moves, but after just 11 months as chief of police services for the city, Randy Blair got an offer he couldn’t turn down.

A newly appointed captain in the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Blair will take his unexpected promotion and make way for the new police chief, Orange County Sheriff’s Lt. Kim Markuson on Aug. 31.

“I was at a point in my career where you don’t really anticipate promotion yet,” said Blair, 48. “Needless to say, I’m pleased.”

A longtime resident of Mission Viejo, he’s getting ready for the long commute to Santa Ana. Blair isn’t sure what he’ll be doing, because Orange County Sheriff Brad Gates hasn’t issued his permanent assignment yet.

His replacement is a veteran of the Sheriff’s Department who completes an eight-year assignment with the county narcotics division.

An Irvine resident, Markuson started his career in the early 1980s as a patrol officer and an investigator in South County.

“I’m amazed by how much the area has grown since I was working here,” he said, “particularly Aliso Viejo.”

Markuson has spent time in Mission Viejo over the past few weeks, learning about his new job and community.

“Mission Viejo has always been known as a place that possesses a lot of community spirit and pride,” he said. “That makes working in that kind of environment very inviting.”

He doesn’t plan any changes at first. Anti-crime efforts such as the South County regional graffiti and gang prevention task force are running “like a well-oiled machine,” Markuson said. “It’s not like I have to come in and reinvent the wheel.”