Los Angeles police names first Asian American officer to lead department

Leading the department: The board announced Choi’s appointment on Wednesday, making him the first Asian American officer to lead Los Angeles police. He will serve in the position while the city decides on a permanent replacement to Michel Moore in the next six to eight months as it prepares for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

Choi said at a press conference Wednesday that he is not applying for the permanent position. “The rules established early on was that the candidates for interim chief will not be applying for the full-time position,” he told reporters.

About Choi: A son of Korean immigrants, Choi started working for the LAPD in 1995 after earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California. He made history in February 2020 by becoming the first-ever Korean American to become the LAPD’s deputy chief and in July 2021 when he was promoted to assistant chief, the second-highest rank within the LAPD.

What authorities are saying: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass noted in a statement that Choi’s 28 years of experience as an officer in the city puts him “in a unique position to not only lead, but to grow and improve our department.” Meanwhile, the commissioners described Choi as a well-respected leader within the department and community that is known “for his vast knowledge and measured decision making.”

What his goals are: Choi said that while he is proud to represent his Korean American and Asian American communities, his role as interim chief is to “represent all communities within this city.” He swore to serve as a collaborative leader and “ensure that we move forward, stay on track and stay focused on increasing public safety.”