Mayor choose Charlie Beck as New LAPD Chief

[DAL]

source: LA Times online

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has selected Los Angeles Deputy Police Chief Charlie Beck, a 32-year LAPD veteran with strong support from rank-and-file officers and civil rights advocates alike, to serve as the next chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, The Times has learned.

The choice comes at a time of uncertainty for the department as Beck will be given the task of sustaining Police Chief William J. Bratton’s hard-won gains amid dwindling city budgets.

Beck, 56, has risen quickly through the department’s command ranks in recent years and was viewed widely as the favorite to be selected by the mayor.

From his success in rehabilitating the LAPD’s Rampart Division, which had been at the center of a corruption scandal, and later as head of the LAPD’s forces in South Los Angeles, he has earned praise from police and civic leaders alike for blending a tough stance on crime with a progressive approach to improving the the LAPD’s relationship with the public.

Villaraigosa chose Beck nearly three months after Bratton announced he would step down at the end of October. During his seven years as chief, Bratton oversaw dramatic declines in crime and improved long-strained relations between police and minority communities.

Beck’s appointment must still be ratified by the City Council in a vote expected in the coming weeks, although no serious opposition is expected. With the department budget being battered by the city’s fiscal crisis and morale of rank-and-file officers wavering in the face of a new contract that offers no pay raises, Beck faces a serious challenge of maintaining the progress of the last several years.

Beck beat out the two other finalists, Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell and and Deputy Chief Michel Moore.

--Joel Rubin

[FJDave]

Congrats to Chief Beck, and best wishes for a VERY tough job!

[Kieth M.]

Four years ago, Charlie Beck was my Area Captain at Rampart. The other guys were already in-place at the rank of Assistant Chief (McDonnell) and Deputy Chief (Moore). Charlie Beck, however, is an absolute schmoozer of the first-degree.

I said that any one of the three would be good at the job of COP for LAPD. My only fear is that the loss of the top spot will cause Jim McDonnell to depart for a top spot, elsewhere. I believe that Mike Moore will be around for a while.

I want Charlie Beck to succeed, because I want the men and women of LAPD to succeed. I hope they (and cops everywhere) not get too hungry, get too wet, put a bad guy (or two) in jail and above all, go home at end of shift.

[creolecop]

Well Keith I think Glenn Beck would have been better for what "Hollywood" needs but if you have good things to say, then it sounds like he will serve the friends of mine living in that area well.

[DAL]

Four years ago, Charlie Beck was my Area Captain at Rampart. The other guys were already in-place at the rank of Assistant Chief (McDonnell) and Deputy Chief (Moore). Charlie Beck, however, is an absolute schmoozer of the first-degree.

I said that any one of the three would be good at the job of COP for LAPD. My only fear is that the loss of the top spot will cause Jim McDonnell to depart for a top spot, elsewhere. I believe that Mike Moore will be around for a while.

I want Charlie Beck to succeed, because I want the men and women of LAPD to succeed. I hope they (and cops everywhere) not get too hungry, get too wet, put a bad guy (or two) in jail and above all, go home at end of shift.

I think both Beck and McDonnell are very impressive. I can assure you that Moore is a schmoozer in the first degree, based on my own observations and what others have told me. That is not to say that he is not talented, but he does not have the depth of the other two (yet).

From news reports, it sounds like Beck had the support of influential minorities, including Connie Rice.

I agree with you that McDonnell has the ability to find a chief's job elsewhere. It would be ironic (but highly unlikely) if he were to become chief in New York.

[Southflaguy]

All the best to Chief Beck!...

http://www.lapdonline.org/chiefs_of_the_los_angeles_police_department/comm_bio_view/7579

Deputy Chief Charles L. Beck was born in Long Beach, California in 1953. He was educated locally and attended California State University at Long Beach. His father was a Los Angeles Police officer who retired in 1980 at the rank of Deputy Chief.

Deputy Chief Beck was appointed to the Department in March 1977 after serving two years in the Los Angeles Police Reserve Corps. He was promoted to Sergeant in June 1984, to Lieutenant in April 1993, to Captain in July 1999, Commander in April 2005, and to Deputy Chief in August 2006. As an officer, his patrol assignments have included Rampart,Southeast, Pacific and Hollywood Areas. As a sergeant, his assignments were Harbor and Southwest patrol, South Bureau C.R.A.S.H. and Internal Affairs Division.

Upon being promoted to captain, he was originally assigned as the Commanding Officer of Southeast Operations Support Division where he spent approximately two years before being transferred to Juvenile Division. As a Commander, he was the Assistant to the Director, Office of Operations. Upon being promoted to Deputy Chief, he assumed command of Operations - South Bureau.

Commander Beck is the current president of the Board of Directors for the Los Angeles Police Relief Association and competes regularly in local motocross events. He is a current Police and Fire Motocross national champion and has won dozens of medals in state, national and international competitions.

[SgtCHP]

11:05 AM (PST) - Villaregosa made it official in his press conference - Congratulations Chief Charlie Beck!

[DAL]

11:05 AM (PST) - Villaregosa made it official in his press conference - Congratulations Chief Charlie Beck!

I think Beck has to be confirmed by the City Council, but that should not be a problem. I hope the Council votes soon, so the department is not effectively leaderless in the interim.

[SlowDownThere]

I agree with you that McDonnell has the ability to find a chief's job elsewhere. It would be ironic (but highly unlikely) if he were to become chief in New York.

Why would it be ironic?

[DAL]

Why would it be ironic?

Because that is where Bratton is, and Bratton pushed Beck for chief.