By JOSE HERRERA
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass swore in Dominic Choi on Friday as the interim chief of Los Angeles Police Department, the first Asian-American to hold the position.
The ceremony at LAPD headquarters took place just a day after former Chief Michel Moore, who was in attendance at the Friday morning event, formally retired.
“The number one job of mayor is to keep Angelenos safe, and it is my honor to be here today, as we swear-in Dominic Choi as interim chief of police, as we work to do just that: keep Los Angeles safe,” Bass said.
After Choi was sworn in, his father pinned his new badge on his uniform.
“For me, today marks more than just a personal achievement — it symbolizes the progress that we’re making towards a more inclusive and representative law enforcement agency,” Choi said. “And it speaks volumes about the diversity that this city has — the vibrance and the dynamics that we all know it to be. And as we celebrate this milestone, let us recognize that our differences are our strength.”
On Thursday afternoon, hundreds of uniformed and civilian LAPD employees gathered outside the department’s downtown headquarters and formed an Honor Cordon, saluting and cheering as Moore exited the building for the final time as chief. The Honor Cordon is considered one of the department’s highest tributes.
Moore said he plans to move away from Los Angeles to be closer to his daughter, though he will retain a consultant role with the city.
The Board of Police Commissioners selected Assistant Chief Choi as the interim chief of police, and he took on the role shortly after 8 a.m. on Friday, when he was formally sworn in as the department’s 58th chief.
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Among those scheduled to attend the event were City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, City Council President Paul Krekorian, and council members Traci Park, John Lee, Tim…
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