Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has officially announced Charles (Charlie) Beck to serve as the the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.
A native of California, and born in Long Beach, Chief Beck has served the LAPD for 32 years, taking after his father who also served as a Los Angeles Police officer, retiring in 1980 as a ranking Deputy Chief.
After two years in the Los Angeles Police Reserve Corps, Beck was appointed to the LAPD in 1977. Seven years later, in 1984, he would be promoted to Sergeant, Lieutenant in 1993, Captain in 1999, Commander in 2005, Deputy Chief in 2006.
Chief Beck is the currently on the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Police Relief Association.
Chief William Bratton unexpectedly stepped down in August to take over as head of a private security firm. Over his seven year tenure as Police Chief, has been said to have dramatically push down crime here in Los Angeles.
He stepped down leaving 3 years in his second term, to the surprise of political and police leaders. "I never want to go and just maintain something," he said in an interview late last year. "I want to be able to fix something."
The community and political leaders in Los Angeles seem to be very satisfied with the new choice for Police Chief.
"We have had a successful working relationship with the Los Angeles Police Department for many years, and we anticipate that partnership will continue under new Police Chief Charlie Beck," said Sheriff Lee Baca.
Of course, new Chief Charlie Beck will have his hands full. Three days ago prosecutors decided not to press criminal charges against 30 Los Angeles police officers who, two years ago fired rubber bullets and pummeled demonstrators with batons at a pro-immigration rally, dubbed May Day melee.
Forty-two people were injured, including nine journalists.
Former Police Chief William Bratton took responsibility for the department's response and called the officers' decision to use force a "command and control breakdown."
With the recent decision not to prosecute, criticisms that police used excessive force and violated civil rights are escalating.
Charlie Beck is the man civil rights groups wanted and It was said that Chief Bratton supported Beck as well.
Paul Weber, the president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents the rank and file, said Beck was an "excellent selection" and "a consummate professional."
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