While between February 28 and 29, Michel Moore was fired amid recognitions of the position of chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD); On March 1, Dominic H. Choi assumed the responsibility of interim leadership of one of the most important police corporations in the country.
“Chief Choi became the first Korean American to ever lead a large police department in the country.”Mayor Bass said before swearing him in.
“The mayor’s number one job is to keep Angelenos safe, and it is an honor to swear in Dominic Choi as interim police chief and work together to keep Los Angeles safe,” the mayor said.
It was the mayor herself who spoke about the career of the interim chief.
“Chief Choi’s career of achievement began in 2002 when he earned promotion to sergeant at the 77th Street Station where he served as a field supervisor. In 2009 he was promoted to lieutenant, taking responsibility as acting commander of the southwest area. In 2017 he was promoted to commander with the assignment of taking charge of the operations of the Central Bureau,” he added.
And he cited that Acting Chief Choi was also coordinator for the Homeless Department until July 2019; In January 2021 he was named director of the Office of Support Services to oversee the Bureau of Administrative Services, the Training Bureau and Critical Incident Review Division, and Behavioral Sciences Services.
Mayor Bass revealed that Interim Chief Choi will work to increase officer recruitment and retention.
“I believe his performance in this role will help inspire Angelenos and others across the country to join the Los Angeles Police Department.”
She added that in her conversations with the acting chief, she was drawn to his selfless service.
“When I asked you why you didn’t want to be the permanent boss, you told me it wasn’t about titles but about service. To me, that is exactly what we need in a leader,” the mayor told Chief Choi.
He emphasized that his record of service reinforces that Chief Choi will lead the department with stability and vigilance as we all work together to provide security for Angelenos.
“I had the honor and opportunity to work with you on several occasions this past year and that is what led me to want to see you promoted to this position,” he told her.
In an interview with KNX News, new interim Chief Choi revealed that he was working as an accountant at a young age when he decided to make a change in his life, and it was his brother who gave him the LAPD’s phone number because they were hiring.
“Five months later, I was already at the Academy. I didn’t enjoy accounting and wanted to do something more meaningful and valuable with my time. “He was young, he had a lot of energy and he was perfect for me.”
So when he looks back, he doesn’t regret a day changing careers.
“Helping people has been more satisfying than I could have imagined.”
Farewell to Chief Moore
On the last two days of February, Chief Michel Moore was honorably discharged in a ceremony honoring his four decades of service and leadership.
At the same time, LAPD officers paid tribute to him as he left the building for the last time as chief on Thursday, February 29, and after handing over his badge, he was presented with the Honor Cordon award.
“Today is my last day as police chief of the highest police department in the United States. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve Los Angeles for more than four decades,” Chief Moore posted on Site X, formerly Twitter.
“I am looking forward to continuing with my next adventure, which is my family. “I am proud of the dedication of our people and know that the future of Los Angeles and the LAPD is bright,” she said.
In an interview, Chief Moore stated that there is no more fulfilling profession than being a police officer. “He has the challenges of him and the critics of him, but if he had the opportunity, he would become a police officer again.”
Chief Moore, who was the 57th chief of the LAPD, will remain as a consultant to the City of Los Angeles.
“We’ve been through a lot of climate-related crises and other issues that we all had to work on together, and I really appreciate that and honor your 40 years,” Mayor Bass said during Chief Moore’s farewell ceremony at the Angel Council.
He added that Chief Moore went through the experience of losing many officers to the Covid pandemic and while grieving the loss, he continued to work and lead the LAPD.
He recalled that he was asked to stay on for a while to work with interim chief Dominic Choi to ensure a smooth and smooth transition in command.
It is expected that by summer, the City of Los Angeles will have a permanent chief of the LAPD.
Chief Moore’s Story
He was born in Porterville, California in 1960. He joined the LAPD in 1981. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1993; and he finished his master’s degree in the same specialty in 1999.
He became captain in 1998. His first assignment was to the Rampart Division. In 2002 he was promoted to commander, then he was deputy chief in 2004 when he assumed command of operations of the Department’s Western Bureau. In 2014 he was assigned as director of the Office of Administrative Affairs; and in 2016 he became deputy chief.
It was in 2018 when he was sworn in as police chief, replacing Charlie Beck.