The Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, Michel Moore, has announced his retirement at the end of February. Moore, who has served in the department for 43 years, made the announcement on Friday.
Moore made his announcement during a press conference at City Hall, alongside Mayor Karen Bass. The decision had been previously confirmed by law enforcement sources, according to the NBC4 I-Team. A nationwide search for a replacement will commence immediately. The duration of the search remains unknown at this time.
According to Bass, Moore has agreed to continue in a consulting capacity for the interim chief, who will be selected before Moore’s departure in late February.
The chief, visibly emotional during the news conference, announced his retirement, citing a desire to prioritize spending time with family and loved ones. According to him, it is crucial for the LAPD to have new leadership in place well before significant upcoming events like the 2028 Olympic Games and the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in Southern California.
“I am deeply passionate about this profession and truly love the work,” Moore stated. “With an increasing workload, the tasks began to pile up… It has come to my attention that the amount of sand at the bottom of my hourglass exceeds the amount present above.
Also Read: California Attorney General Issues Warning Against Forced Outing Policies in School Districts
In 1981, Moore began his career with the LAPD as an officer. Over the years, he worked his way up the ranks, serving as a detective, sergeant, and lieutenant. Finally, in 1998, he was promoted to the esteemed position of captain. In 2010, he was promoted to assistant chief, and just recently, in June 2018, he was sworn in as chief by Mayor Eric Garcetti.
“The future of this city is promising,” Moore stated, expressing his sentiment of missing the opportunity to share it with the audience. “However, I firmly believe that now is the opportune moment.”
The mayor appoints the chief of police for a maximum of two five-year terms in the nation’s largest department. Last year, Moore was appointed to a second term following a unanimous recommendation by the Los Angeles Police Commission.
Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Mayor of Los Angeles, expressed his confidence in Mayor Bass’s commitment to working diligently alongside the new police chief in order to serve the residents of Los Angeles.
Villaraigosa expressed his belief that the key to building strong communities lies in fostering mutual respect between the police department and the residents. He emphasized the importance of inclusivity, particularly for marginalized communities that have often been overlooked in the past.
In response to this, civil rights attorney Connie Rice emphasized the importance of having a police chief who is ready to implement enhanced safety measures for future events in the city. “Having a police chief who is ready to take action from day one is crucial,” emphasized Connie Rice, a seasoned civil rights attorney. “The approach to planning the Olympics in 2024 differs significantly from that of 1974.”
(Source: nbclosangeles)