LACP.org
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The Declared Candidates
for LAPD's next Chief of Police
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Here are the declared candidates who are currently Chiefs of Police in other cities after having had long LAPD careers, listed by length of LAPD service:

Chief Mark Kroeker - Portland Police (was with LAPD 32 years) - a former LAPD Deputy Chief, spent a year in Bosnia working with the United Nations on peacekeeping and policing efforts, and has been Portland Chief since December of 1999

"The thing that's driving me to apply is the sense that there's work that still needs to be done. With all those years in leadership in LAPD, now there are things I honestly believe I have in my own capacity that will fill the need in the LAPD at this moment."
Daily News 4/29/02

Chief Art Lopez * - Oxnard Police
(began his 28 year LAPD career in 1971) - a former Deputy Chief at LAPD, has been Chief of the Oxnard Police Department since November of 1998 and known as a firm believer in the concepts of community based policing

"It would be just fabulous to finish off my career with the agency I started with. I'd … like to find out about the criteria ... to see if I'm a good fit."
Daily News 4/29/02

* known to speak fluent Spanish


Here are the declared candidates who are currently serving with the LAPD, listed by rank and length of LAPD service:

Deputy Chief Margaret (Peggy) York (a 34 year veteran of LAPD) - currently serves as the commanding officer of LAPD Central Bureau, and is the first woman in the history of the LAPD to reach the rank of Deputy Chief

"I've really -- I think -- seen just about every aspect of working in this department. But I certainly don't think of myself as 'a woman candidate.' I think the leadership of the Police Department calls for a person who is willing to take responsibility for leadership."
Daily News 4/30/02

Deputy Chief David Kalish
(began his LAPD career in 1975) - currently serves as the commanding officer of LAPD West Bureau

"I'm honored to be considered on the short list because I think there is a great opportunity for change ... I was born in this city, I live in this city, and I care about this city. I want to be a part of making it better."
Daily News 4/30/02

Commander George Gascon * (first joined the LAPD in 1978) - currently serves as commanding officer of the Department's Training Group, responsible for overseeing all training for the Department's sworn and civilian employees

"The organization really needs to be turned upside-down. The traditional organizational structure that we have ... neglects that ... the community is the customer."
Daily News 4/29/02

Commander Jim McDonnell (has 21 years experience with the Department) - currently commanding officer of the LAPD's 2004 International Association of Chiefs of Police Planning Group

"It's a certainly a challenging job … but I love this organization, and there's a window of opportunity to turn the image of the department around."
Daily News 5/01/02

* known to speak fluent Spanish


Some of these candidates are well know, others not, and Los Angeles Community Policing will try to provide the residents with as much information as possible about these potential new Chiefs of Police.

Please let us know at LACP.org if any of this information is inaccurate (here or anywhere on the site), and we will update it right away.

Also let us know if we have inadvertently missed anyone, and of other declared candidates as they come forward.
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