Deputy Chief Charles L. Beck was selected as the new Los Angeles Police Department chief of police earlier today.
The City Council must still ratify his nomination but no opposition is expected. Former Chief William J. Bratton announced his resignation in August.
Beck, a 56-year-old Cal State Long Beach alumnus, joined the LAPD in March 1977 after serving two years in the Los Angeles Police Reserve Corps, according to the LAPD Web site. He graduated from CSULB with an option in vocational arts within the occupational studies degree, according to the Los Angeles Times.
“Beginning his career with the LAPD 32 years ago, Chief Charlie Beck has earned the reputation as a progressive police reformer. He’s a man of character and integrity,” Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said this morning at a press conference. “He is a police officer who is tough on crime, and he is a leader with deep respect and understanding of the police officers under his command and the communities they are sworn to protect and serve.”
Henry O’Lawrence, former occupational studies chair, said Beck was a humble student who greeted everybody with a smile when he visited the department.
“The part I really enjoyed about him was how he carries himself as a student in the department and not just a police officer,” he said via e-mail.
Throughout his career at the LAPD, Beck was a sergeant, lieutenant, captain and commander before becoming deputy chief. Beck is also the president of the board of directors for the Los Angeles Police Relief Association, along with national champion of the Police and Fire Motocross.
According to The New York Times, Beck has worked on such cases as the investigation of Michael Jackson’s death and Phil Spector’s murder investigation.
“Charlie Beck is a conservative when it comes to criminals, and a progressive when it comes to policing,” Villaraigosa said.
Criminal justice runs in Beck’s family. His father was also a deputy chief and retired from the LAPD in 1980. According to the Los Angeles Times, two of Beck’s three children are LAPD officers. His wife is a retired sheriff’s deputy, and his sister is a retired LAPD detective, according to Villaraigosa.
Villaraigosa said, “Charlie Beck’s blood is LAPD blue.”
Beck was up for the position against Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell and Deputy Chief Michel Moore. He will serve as police chief until 2014.
This article was modified Nov. 4 at 5:43 p.m. to include comments from Henry O’Lawrence, former occupational studies chair.