Beck, Moore, and McDonnell are finalists for LAPD chief

Veteran LAPD officers Charlie Beck, Michel Moore, and Jim McDonnell were named this evening as finalists to replace outgoing Chief William Bratton. Beck was humbled. "I think we owe Chief Bratton a debt of gratitude that he brought three of us up in the organization that are now eligible to be the chief," Beck said moments after the announcement. "If it hadn't been for him, this wouldn't have happened, especially in my case. "He gave me opportunities and he gave me the freedom to do the things that I thought would have the most effect on the department. It takes real courage in a leader to give up a little bit of his authority." The three finalists are from within the ranks of the LAPD. They are white males. Bratton said the fact that John Mack, a black civil rights leader who heads the civilian Police Commission, picked three white candidates was a sign that the department has come a long way with race relations. Here are the profiles of the candidates:

Deputy Chief Michel Moore Deputy Chief Michel R. Moore is a 27-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. Moore is currently assigned as the commanding officer of Operations – Valley Bureau, overseeing policing of the San Fernando Valley. Moore was born in California but grew up in various parts of the country before returning to Southern California and joining the LAPD in October 1981. Moore worked as a commanding officer in the Rampart area following the arrest of Rafael Perez and during the 2000 Democratic National Convention. Moore attended the University of Redlands, completing a Bachelor's of Science in Business and Management in 1993, and a Master's of Business Administration in 1999.

Charles L. Beck Deputy Chief Charles L. Beck serves as commanding officer of the Detective Bureau. Beck was born in Long Beach in 1953. Beck's father was a Los Angeles police officer who retired in 1980 after also rising to the position of deputy chief. Beck attended California State University at Long Beach. Beck was appointed to the Department in March 1977 after serving two years in the Los Angeles Police Reserve Corps. Over the years, his patrol assignments included the Rampart, Southeast, Southwest, Pacific, Harbor, and Hollywood areas. As a sergeant, he worked with South Bureau C.R.A.S.H. (Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums) and the Internal Affairs Division. After being promoted to captain, he was assigned to be the commanding officer of Southeast Operations Support Division, where he spent two years before being transferred to the Juvenile Division. As a commander, he served as assistant to the Operations Office director. After being promoted to deputy chief in August 2006, he assumed command of Operations – South Bureau.

Jim McDonnell First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell joined the LAPD in 1981. He's currently second in command of the LAPD and serves as the chief of staff, handling fiscal and political issues involving the Police Department. McDonnell chairs the Use of Force Committee and is the Department's gay and lesbian coordinator. McDonnell has also received the LAPD's Medal of Valor. McDonnell holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from St. Anselm College, as well as a Master's Degree in Public Administration from USC. Prior to his assignment as chief of staff, McDonnell was director of the Human Resources Office. He is also the former chief of operations. Before being promoted to assistant chief, he was a commander assigned as special assistant to the chief. He has also commanded the Management Services Division and the Continuing Education Division. When McDonnell was first promoted to captain, he was the commanding officer of Southwest Operations Support Division.