Topline:
Angelenos now have until Friday to tell Mayor Karen Bass what they want from the city's next police chief.
The context: Former LAPD police chief Michel Moore retired five months ago, starting the search for a new leader for the force’s staff of about 9,000 sworn officers and about 2,800 civilian employees. While the public does not directly elect the chief, the Mayor’s Office has worked to solicit input with several community listening sessions and a survey.
The survey deadline was recently extended to June 14.
What does the survey entail? The LAPD police chief community survey asks participants to rank the characteristics and qualities, experiences, and priorities they want to see in the next chief of police. Responses will be used to evaluate candidates and create interview questions.
It’s available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, and Armenian.
Los Angeles residents have until Friday to provide input on the search for a new police chief.
The Police Commission recently announced that it had extended the deadline to complete a community survey to June 14. The previous deadline was June 7.
The search for a new police chief began six months ago when former L.A. Police Chief Michel Moore announced he would retire. Moore officially retired in February after 42 years on the force, having served as chief since 2018.
Assistant LAPD Chief Dominic Choi was chosen as the interim police chief while city leaders evaluate candidates for the permanent position.
The chief is appointed by the mayor rather than elected, but Mayor Karen Bass has said she wants the public to weigh in.
“Angelenos can absolutely expect community listening sessions and meetings in the coming months to discuss what they’d like to see in the next chief,” the Mayor’s Office told LAist in February after Moore’s retirement announcement.
Several community listening sessions have taken place in the months since, but attendance has been sparse, according to the L.A. Times.
The next listening session will be held via Zoom tonight at 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. You can register for the event here.
The community survey is the latest of Bass’s efforts to engage the public. It asks participants to rank the qualities, experiences, and priorities they want to see in the next chief of police. It also provides space for participants to share how the LAPD can better serve their community. The survey is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, and Armenian.
Responses will be used to evaluate candidates and create interview questions.
The deadline for applications for police chief is June 16. The city’s Personnel Department will create a shortlist of six candidates from the applicant pool. Police Commissioners will then choose and rank three candidates from the list.
From there, it's up to Bass to select a candidate. Pending approval by City Council, the mayor’s chosen police chief will serve for a five-year term, with the possibility of being appointed to a second term for a total of 10 years in office.
