Dominic H. Choi made history when he was sworn in as the interim chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in March. As the first Asian American to lead the department, his appointment represents a major milestone for both the Asian American community and the LAPD. In this article we talk about LAPD Appoints First Asian American Chief.

For Choi, the son of Korean immigrants, becoming a police officer—let alone rising to the top position in the department—was never part of his plan. After graduating from USC, he initially pursued a career in accounting but soon realized it was not his passion. A fateful phone call led him to the LAPD and set him on a trajectory through the ranks over the next 25+ years.

The Path to Policing

According to NBC Los Angeles, Choi grew up in Orange County as the son of immigrant parents who owned a beauty supply store. They worked tirelessly to provide for their family, instilling a strong work ethic in Choi from a young age.

After earning his accounting degree from USC, Choi quickly became dissatisfied with his finance career. He considered taking a year off to travel and reflect on his next steps. During a conversation with his brother, his brother happened to provide the phone number for the LAPD recruitment office.

On a whim, Choi called the number, went through the application process, and soon graduated from the police academy. At first, his immigrant parents were surprised by his decision to join law enforcement, as careers like medicine and law were traditionally more prized in the Asian community. But as Choi moved up the ranks over the years, his parents came to understand and take pride in his accomplishments.

Stepping Up to Leadership

Most recently, Choi was leading the department’s Office of Support Services when Michel Moore announced his retirement as LAPD chief. Rather than leaving a void in leadership, Choi made the decision to step up as interim chief until a permanent replacement could be selected.

When asked about his motivation, Choi cited his desire to fill the leadership gap and serve the department. However, seeing his father beam with pride as he pinned on Choi’s badge at the swearing-in ceremony reminded Choi of the deeper familial legacy he carries.

Though Choi never planned for a series of promotions, his dedicated work ethic, learned from his immigrant parents, paved the way for career advancement.

Overcoming Hurdles as an Asian American Officer

Choi’s tenure has spanned some turbulent times for Asian Americans and the LAPD. He was still a USC student during the 1992 LA riots when many Korean-owned businesses bore the brunt of looting and arson. The lasting distrust of law enforcement in some Asian immigrant communities presented obstacles that Choi aimed to overcome through outreach and transparency.

More recently, anti-Asian hate fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic has also impacted Choi personally. As head of the department’s vaccination efforts, he faced harmful, racist comments blaming Asians for the public health crisis. However, he persevered through the challenges: “It didn’t stop me from doing my job. It didn’t stop me from moving forward and staying positive.”

For Asian Americans facing discrimination in any workplace, including policing, Choi offers simple but powerful advice: “Don’t let that noise get in your way. If you let that stop your forward progress, you’re creating your own barrier.”

Making History, Inspiring His Daughters

Now as the first Asian American chief of police in LA’s history, Choi feels deep gratitude to serve his hometown where his immigrant family planted roots. Leading the LAPD also sets an example for his three accomplished daughters, showing them what hard work and perseverance can achieve.

While some Asian families have traditionally valued sons over daughters, Choi expresses no gender preferences and enormous pride in his daughters’ successes. His eldest followed in his accounting footsteps to become a CPA. Another daughter is in medical school, and his youngest continues her college education.

Watching his daughters excel in their own right, Choi hopes his groundbreaking appointment shows that any career path is possible, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender. The interim chief role carries immense responsibilities, but Choi draws on the work ethic and family values passed down from his immigrant parents.

As the LAPD continues its search for a permanent chief, the Asian American community will be honoring Dominic Choi for breaking barriers. His stewardship of the department, even if temporary, will have a lasting impact. Choi’s journey from son of Korean immigrants to top cop making history is an inspiration for Asian Americans and Angelenos of all backgrounds. I sincerely hope you like reading this “LAPD Appoints First Asian American Chief-Find Out Details” article.