The Right Man

Today it was my distinct honor to nominate Deputy Chief Charlie Beck to be the next Chief of Police of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The decision was not an easy one. I spent countless hours with each of the outstanding candidates; consulted with the members of the Police Commission and members of the Los Angeles community.

One wise person told me to "Choose the man who could have reached you when you were 17."

Charlie Beck is that man.

A 32-year veteran of the LAPD, Beck is a progressive police reformer who has served in almost every area of our vast and diverse City.

He is tough when it comes to criminals, and progressive when it comes to policing.

He's a man who understands police work, police officers, and the honor that comes with the LAPD uniform. In fact, you could say law enforcement is in his genes:

His father was a deputy chief of the LAPD, his wife, Cindy, is a retired Sheriff's deputy, his sister is a retired LAPD detective, his daughter Brandi is a patrol officer in Hollywood, and next month his son Martin will graduate from the Police Academy. Charlie Beck's blood is LAPD blue.

And so today, we begin a new chapter in the story of reform at the LAPD. Charlie Beck is a man who understands the past, who is an important part of the present, and who will shape this department in the future. Under his leadership, I'm confident the LAPD will continue the great progress of the last few years, and that Los Angeles will be the safest big city in America.

 

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