Los Angeles Chief of Police Michel Moore, who has led the department since 2018, will retire at the end of February, he announced at a news conference with Mayor Karen Bass on Friday.
“It has been my distinct honor and privilege to have served for more than four decades on the finest police department in the world, and the last five and a half years as chief,” Moore said.
Moore, 63, first joined the Los Angeles Police Department as an officer in 1981 and was consistently promoted through the ranks from detective to sergeant, lieutenant, and eventually Captain in 1998. As Captain, Moore was placed in charge of LAPD’s notorious Rampart Division after the arrest of Rafael Perez on corruption charges.
Moore was promoted once again to Deputy Chief in 2004, Assistant Chief in 2010, and was sworn in as Chief of Police by Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2018.
“The goals I began my tenure as chief of police remain essentially the same today: build on the successes of my predecessors … bolstering public trust, lowering crime, modernizing our technology and addressing the pressing concerns of our people,” Moore said during Friday’s announcement. “I’m proud of my leadership.”
During his tenure, Moore managed crises ranging from the George Floyd protests and subsequent efforts to defund police, to the COVID-19 pandemic and, more recently, the surge in smash-and-grab retail theft.
“To every member of this department past and present, I’m proud of you and the work you do each day in protecting and serving the people of this great city. I have traveled this world and this great country and hold with certainty that there is no one who does it better,” he said. “For the people of Los Angeles who I’ve dedicated more than four decades of my life, thank you for your partnership, your support and your encouragement.”
Moore said he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and daughter. Mayor Bass said he will remain with the city following his retirement to help with the transition to a new chief.