Cops Count. Character Counts.

11/3/09 @ 4:40p by Deputy Chief Beck

Never did I think when I joined the LAPD 32 years ago that one day I would be chief.

I am humbled by this honor and grateful to the Mayor for this opportunity.

I am honored to have been selected from such a distinguished and accomplished group of candidates and I pledge that I will not let this city down.

This is not just a job to me. This is who I am. It's in my blood: My father was a deputy chief. He joined after World War II and rose through the ranks of the department before retiring with distinction.

My wife Cindy, who has stood by me throughout my career, is a constant source of strength and understanding. She understands so well because she is a cop too.

My sister is a retired detective. She is one of the best who have ever worked in the LAPD. My daughter Brandi is a patrol officer in Hollywood. And my son Martin is the future of the department. He will graduate from the Police Academy on December 4.

That is why I do this job. That is why I met with the Mayor and explained my desire to lead this organization.

You see, I know this department in my bones. I've seen the ghosts and the failures of the LAPD's past, but I also know the glory of this department and see the promise of an incredible future.

I know how far we have come, especially in the last 7 years. The progressive reforms we've made have transformed the LAPD into the world-class law enforcement agency you see today, and kept LA safer than it's been since the fifties. 

There's a phrase that I often use - 'Cops count. Character counts. Do the right thing and you can be the difference.' That is how I plan to lead this proud organization.

If you have any questions for me, I want to hear them. Use the form on this page to contact me and I will do my best to respond to as many folks as possible.

Deputy Chief Charlie Beck

I'm your new Chief and I want to hear from you.

Hello--

Yesterday, Mayor Villaraigosa nominated me to become the next Chief of Police of the LAPD. When I joined the department 32 years ago, I never thought one day I would be Chief. I am truly humbled by this honor and grateful to the Mayor for this opportunity.

You should know that this is not just a job to me. This is who I am. You could say it's in my blood: my father, sister, wife, daughter and son are all cops.

[You can learn more about my background here.]

So, I know first hand the ghosts and the failures of this department's past. But I also know its glory. I helped institute the progressive reforms that have transformed the LAPD into the world-class law enforcement agency you see today, keeping LA safer than it's been since the fifties.

There's a phrase I often use - Cops count. Character counts. Do the right thing and you can be the difference. That is how I plan to lead this organization.

I look forward to meeting and talking with members of the community and City Council over the next several weeks. Working with the community is one of the most important parts of this job, and I'd like to hear from all of you.

Please use this page we've set up to send me your questions and ideas, and please forward this to any of your friends and family that are interested in the future of the LAPD. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,
Charlie Beck

MAYOR ANTONIO R. VILLARAIGOSA
City of Los Angeles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
November 3, 2009 

Contact:
David Beltran
213-978-0741

MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA SELECTS DEPUTY CHIEF CHARLES BECK AS THE NEXT CHIEF OF THE LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
A 32-year veteran of the force, Beck is widely viewed as a progressive reformer, embracing comprehensive approach to reducing gang violence

LOS ANGELES - Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today selected Deputy Chief Charles Beck as the next Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. At a press conference at the Getty House, the Mayor touted Beck's innovative leadership and result driven qualities.

“Beginning his career with the LAPD 32 years ago, Chief Charlie Beck has earned the reputation as a progressive police reformer,” Villaraigosa said.

“He is a man of character and integrity, a police officer who is tough on crime, and he is a leader with a deep respect and understanding of the police officers under his command and the communities they are sworn to protect and serve.  Chief Charlie Beck is the right man to lead the Los Angeles Police Department.”

Standing with the new chief, Mayor Villaraigosa said his selection of Deputy Chief Charles Beck was made after a thorough evaluation of the candidates-not just on experience - but on their character, integrity, and fortitude. 

Deputy Chief Charles Beck is a 32 year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department with an outstanding record of innovative leadership as a Lieutenant, Captain, Commander and Deputy Chief.

A second-generation LAPD officer, Beck has built his career as a coalition builder in some of most vulnerable neighborhoods - playing a critical role in the how the Department works with communities.

A 32-year veteran of the force, Beck is widely viewed as a progressive reformer, embracing comprehensive approach to reducing gang violence.

During the five days of interview and deliberation, Mayor Villaraigosa reached out to a broad cross-section of Angelenos that included business, religious and community leaders that provided him with unique advice and counsel about the qualities the diverse communities in LA want in their next Chief of Police.

Additionally, the Mayor reached out to city leaders, including City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, Controller Wendy Greuel, Council President Eric Garcetti, Public Safety Committee Chair Greig Smith and Councilmembers Bernard Park and Denis Zine.   

In preparation for the deliberation of the Police Commission's recommendations, the Mayor called upon a distinguished group of experts to provide him with thoughtful advice, including a decision-making framework, and their perspectives about the most important leadership attributes the next chief must posses.

The Mayor's Advisory Group includes the Honorable Lourdes Baird, Stewart Kwoh, Ron Olson, Connie Rice and Warren Christopher, who will serve as its chairman.

Mayor Villaraigosa began his deliberation after the Police Commission delivered their top three recommended candidates on October 27 at a City Hall news conference. The Mayor received the candidates, after the Commission narrowed their candidate list after receiving 13 candidates from the City's Personnel Department.

## Deputy Chief Charlie Beck is a 33-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department. He has been nominated by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to serve as L.A.'s 55th chief of police.

## As Chief of Detectives, Chief Beck supervises all specialized detective divisions including Robbery Homicide, Gang and Narcotics, Vice, Commercial Crimes and Juvenile Division.

## Chief Beck has spent much of his career working to reduce gang violence. He began his career with early stints in LAPD's notorious CRASH Unit. But as Chief of Detectives, Chief Beck is widely viewed as a progressive reformer, embracing the same comprehensive approach to gang violence reduction as Rev. Jeff Carr, the City's first Gang Czar who now serves as Mayor Villaraigosa's Chief of Staff.

## Nearly every member of Chief Beck's immediate family serves or has served in law enforcement. Chief Beck's father, George Beck, retired from the Los Angeles Police Department as a Deputy Chief in 1980. Chief Beck's daughter, Brandi Scimone, is currently assigned to the Hollywood Area as a patrol officer. His wife of 25 years, Cindy Beck, is a retired deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. If Chief Beck is confirmed by the City Council, he will preside over a Los Angeles Police Academy graduation ceremony in December of 2009 – a class of new officers which will include his son, Martin.

## Chief Beck was born in Long Beach in 1953. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from California State University, Long Beach.

CHIEF CHARLIE BECK'S LAPD CAREER

Chief of Detectives
May 2007 – Present

Deputy Chief, South Bureau
August 2006 – May 2007

Commander, Operations
April 2005 – August 2006

Captain, Rampart Area
May 2003 – April 2005

Captain, Central Area
January 2002 – May 2003

Captain, Juvenile Division
July 2000 – January 2002

Captain, Southeast Operations
July 1999 – July 2000

Lieutenant, Community Policing
May 1998 – July 1999

Lieutenant, Commission Investigation
April 1994 – May 1998

Lieutenant, Southeast Area
March 1993 – April 1994

Sergeant, Southeast Area
July 1992 – March 1993

Sergeant, Training Review
April 1991 – July 1992

Sergeant, Internal Affairs
March 1987 – April 1991

Sergeant, CRASH South Bureau
July 1986 – March 1987

Sergeant, Southwest Area
July 1985 – July 1986

Sergeant, Narcotics Task Force
February 1985 – July 1985

Sergeant, Harbor Area
June 1984 – February 1985

Police Officer, Hollywood Area
September 1982 – June 1984

Police Officer, Pacific Area
August 1980 – September 1982

Police Officer, CRASH Southeast Area
November 1978 – August 1980

Police Officer, Southeast Area
July 1978 – November 1978

Patrol Officer, Rampart Area
September 1977 – July 1978

Recruit Officer
March 1977 – September 1977

Reserve Officer, Rampart Area
March 1975 – March 1977