Desirable Qualities for Next LAPD Police Chief? Find Out the Details

With LAPD Chief Michel Moore recent retirement Los Angeles finds itself looking for new leadership to helm its police force. This transition represent a pivotal moment for the LAPD to build trust with the community and enact meaningful reforms. As the search gets underway, residents and city leader alike are voicing their hopes for the ideal candidate. What should the next chief prioritize and what traits should they embody? Input from a recent community forum sheds some light. In this article we talk about Desirable Qualities for Next LAPD Police Chief.

Community Voices on LAPD’s Future

At a recent webinar co-hosted by LA Board of Police Commissioners locals aired grievances and suggestions to help guide the selection process. Many voiced frustration over the department response times and absence in neighborhoods. As Peter Nichols of the Melrose Action Neighborhood Watch put it, “We need senior lead officers or at least one in every division on duty…at all hours.”

Others like Helen Jacobs-Lepor conveyed feeling unsafe in their own communities: “I feel like we’re just sitting ducks waiting for someone to break in.” She and others urged the next chief to increase police visibility and engagement with residents.

Some attendees emphasized de-escalation tactics improved communication with community groups and minimizing police militarization at protests. Others argued the next chief should hail from LA or at least possess extensive knowledge of its diverse landscapes and demographics. Above all the community seeks a reform-minded leader ready to collaborate with residents and restore public trust.

Desired Leadership Qualities

Based on public feedback and the city’s needs what key qualities should the next LAPD chief exemplify?

Reform-Oriented Agenda

With controversies surrounding excessive force and racial inequities LAPD must work toward systemic change. The ideal chief will champion reform and accountability while bringing federal oversight to an end. They should support strengthened de-escalation training and limitation on military-style weaponry. A commitment to public transparency and data-driven improvement is equally vital.

Strong Community Ties

Residents have clearly voiced the desire for closer community bonds and responsiveness. The next chief should have an established track record of meaningful community engagement. Their strategies should emphasize relationship-building through forums, localized policing, and collaborations with residents and organizations. Cultural fluency within LA neighborhoods proves critical as well.

Proven Leadership Ability

Effecting change for an agency as prominent as LAPD requires flexibility decisiveness and officer buy-in. The chief must exhibit composure under public scrutiny and stay ahead of emerging challenges. Most crucially, they will need the skill to align internal and external expectations around a 21st century vision for policing in LA.

Experience Managing Complex Agencies

Overseeing nearly 10,000 sworn officers across 472 square miles presents no easy task. The position demand leadership over vast operation and budgets exceeding $1.5 billion. The chosen chief should boast sizeable experience managing personnel resources and policies for a major metro agency like the LAPD. A track record of administrative excellence and crisis response is vital.

Commitment to Equity

With racial tensions homelessness and mental health representing ongoing issues, the chief must cement equity as a top priority. Their policies should confront systemic biases and barriers facing LA marginalized groups. The focus must shift toward diversion programs and alternatives to armed responses. Above all the chief should demonstrate a genuine understanding of diverse community needs.

The Road Ahead

As LA navigates the critical process of selecting leadership to push long-overdue reforms community input provides a compass. The public has outlined the values they wish to see reflected in their next chief—transparency, accountability, engagement and equity. Ultimately the next chief must exemplify the vision and moral courage to lead the LAPD into a more just future, one marked by greater trust in those sworn to serve and protect. I sincerely hope you find this “Desirable Qualities for Next LAPD Police Chief? Find Out the Details” article helpful.