Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore is retiring at the end of February, which means L.A. is on the hunt for a new leader in one of its most challenging jobs.
Turnover in the police chief role happens every five to 10 years. Here’s your refresher on what the chief does, how the selection process will work, and how you can make your voice heard.
What does L.A.’s police chief do?
Think of the police chief as the CEO of a company or a university chancellor. They’re responsible for directing the police department — currently with 8,975 sworn officers and 2,810 civilian staff — in a way that fosters public trust and reduces crime.
While it’s a role mandated by the city charter, the public doesn’t get to elect the police head — instead the mayor chooses someone for the position.
The charter outlines the general duties of a chief, which includes:
- Suppressing crime within city limits
- Handling administrative needs in the department
- Generally instructing employees with the ability to appoint, discharge and discipline
- Recommending and spending the department’s annual budget
There are other parts of the role that aren’t as spelled out.
“Really their job is to be a big picture thinker,” said Emily Owens, a professor of criminology and economics at UC Irvine. “They need to be able to figure out what the LAPD needs to do to move forward in a way that makes the people of Los Angeles feel safe.”
How can you get involved?
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Dates have not been announced yet, but keep an eye out for community listening sessions…
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