New Los Angeles Police Department interim chief named
A new interim police chief was named Wednesday afternoon to lead the Los Angeles Police Department following Chief Michel Moore's sudden Jan.12 retirement announcement.
Mayor Karen Bass was joined by The Los Angeles Police Commission to announce the appointment of LAPD Assistant Chief Dominic Choi as interim chief at an afternoon news conference.
"This appointment will continue our work to make Los Angeles safer. I look forward to working with Interim Chief Choi in the coming months as he provides steady and stable leadership for our police department," said Mayor Karen Bass.
"Interim Chief Choi's more than 28 years of service to this City as a member of the police department put him in a unique position to not only lead, but to grow and improve our department. I want to thank Interim Chief Choi for his willingness to accept this appointment as we work to make our city safer for all."
Choi is the son of Korean immigrants, raised locally in Los Angeles and started his career with the LAPD in 1995 after earning his bachelor's degree from the University of Southern California.
He worked patrol in various divisions before rising in rank from detective, to sergeant and lieutenant. In 2014, he was promoted to Captain serving in both Foothill Area and Pacific Area. In 2017, he was promoted to Commander of Operations Central Bureau and later the Department's Homeless Coordinator. He remained in that position until he was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2019.
Los Angeles Police Commission president Erroll Southers said interim candidates were considered from within and outside of the department, and lengthy interviews were conducted with the candidates
"Chief Choi is uniquely qualified to lead the department at this time ... his institutional knowledge and his leadership priorities are fully aligned with the Mayor's and Commission's vision for the LAPD," Southers said.
Choi begins his duties as Interim LAPD chief March 1, 2024. He will be the first Asian-American to lead the Los Angeles Police Department.
Bass also said during the news conference that the city will continue to conduct a nationwide search to find a permanent chief.
Moore will continue to assist the department in a consulting capacity as new leadership makes the transition.
"I'm here to ensure that this department is successful and that this mayor and this city is successful," Moore said in January. "There's any needs, or consults, or information, or perspective or background — whatever it is — i want to see this city continue. I want to see this transition as smooth as possible while also allowing me to move onto the next volume of my life."
A new chief, once selected, will step into the responsibility of overseeing the department through upcoming major Los Angeles events, including the World Cup and the Olympic games.
Both Moore and Bass had said that the department should have renewed leadership ahead of these events.
