Charlie Beck tapped by mayor as new LAPD chief [updated]

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has selected Los Angeles Deputy Police Chief Charlie Beck, a 32-year LAPD veteran with strong support from rank-and-file officers and civil rights advocates alike, to serve as the next chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, The Times has learned.

The choice comes at a time of uncertainty for the department as Beck will be given the task of sustaining Police Chief William J. Bratton’s hard-won gains amid dwindling city budgets.

Beck, 56, has risen quickly through the department’s command ranks in recent years and was viewed widely as the favorite to be selected by the mayor.

From his success in rehabilitating the LAPD’s Rampart Division, which had been at the center of a corruption scandal, and later as head of the LAPD’s forces in South Los Angeles, he has earned praise from police and civic leaders alike for blending a tough stance on crime with a progressive approach to improving the the LAPD’s relationship with the public.

Villaraigosa chose Beck nearly three months after Bratton announced he would step down at the end of October. During his seven years as chief, Bratton oversaw dramatic declines in crime and improved long-strained relations between police and minority communities.

Beck’s appointment must still be ratified by the City Council in a vote expected in the coming weeks, although no serious opposition is expected. With the department budget being battered by the city’s fiscal crisis and morale of rank-and-file officers wavering in the face of a new contract that offers no pay raises, Beck faces a serious challenge of maintaining the progress of the last several years.

[Updated at 10 a.m.: City Council President Eric Garcetti hailed Beck’s selection as the new chief.

“Charlie Beck embodies the new era of the LAPD,” Garcetti said. “He represents the future but connects us with the best of our past. He has the vision, temperament and intellect to continue making Los Angeles safer. I believe he is the right chief for our times. And I commend the mayor.”]

Beck beat out the two other finalists, Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell and and Deputy Chief Michel Moore.

--Joel Rubin and Phil Willon

More photos: LAPD Chief nominee Charlie Beck

More: Who is Charlie Beck? Check out our biography.

Full story: Villaraigosa selects Beck to be next LAPD chief

Photo: Los Angeles Deputy Police Chief Charlie Beck has been selected to serve as the next chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. Credit: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

More breaking news in L.A. Now:

U.S. court will hear Polanski's appeal on sexual assault case

Sea cucumbers, an Asian delicacy, seized at U.S.-Mexico border

Comments

[Rosee]

The Mayor got it RIGHT!

Deputy Chief Charlie Beck is a fantastic choice!

[pepe]

Great choice! Thank God it wasn't Moore. We wish the best for McDonnell.

[why not your name?]

that's fye yo!

[Dave]

tom selleck

[Welcome back Rafael]

Once upon a time in the early 90's.... I was a young police officer working Rampart and Charlie Beck was my supervising lieutenant. Although I was idealistic about "protecting and serving," I soon became part of the insular culture of the code of silence. Rampant beatings, framings and even so called justifiable homicides were the norm because WE wore the badges. In light of Bratton leaving and the lifting of the Federal Consent Decree, we can all look forward to returning to the dark ages under our new Chief, Charlie Beck.

Thank you for your wise choice Mayor. All of Bratton's hard work is down the drain!

[Mike OHara]

Sounds like a good choice for a tough gig. Maybe I'm provincial, but it used to bug me to hear Bratton's Boston accent and, before him, Chief Williams's Philly accent. You can't just waltz into a new city and expect to understand its problems or to have the trust of the long-time employees below you.

[pancho villa]

is it just me or does he look like tom sellek?

[Susan]

Great. Only in LA would a man walk around scott free even after confessing to committing homicide yet be in jeopardy of being jailed for back child support.
Maybe the new chief will see the absurdity in such a thing.

[Dennis]

It was all a charade. Beck was chosen by Bratton before he left town. The Mayor now will try and control everything LAPD does. BECK doesn't know anything about community policing. He is a soft spoken man who will allow the Mayor to control everything he does and do what he says. All that money being wasted for a circus to pretend it was all on the up and up.

[JB]

Great choice! I'm sure Magnum will do an excellent job.

[Lou]

Thank god it's not a knee grow

[Peter wolf]

He looks like a 'take no prisoners' kind of guy. I hope so for the sake of this city.

[Thomas]

I think we need a few shirtless pictures of the new Chief.

[Hoo Raa]

Charlie is a kick butt dude who will take back the streets without the "touchy Feelie" approach. He is a direct product of Chief Gates and will cleanse LA of all the trash! Go
Charlie!

[John L. Mendez]

As a Christian, I strive diligently not to judge others, lest I be judged by my own standards. Therefore, I sincerely pray that Charlie Beck does right by God and sustains Bratton’s hard-won gains amid dwindling city budgets. In Jesus' name, Amen.

[Oscar V]

Charlie Beck is the best choice for Los Angeles. The Mayor got it right and he deserves our gratitude. The City will be in good hands; the future looks bright. Chief Beck is also a great human being. Hail to the Chief!

[carter]

Peter Wolf - we don't have anywhere to put prisoners any way, nor the ability to pay for them when in jail or prison, so it is best he be of the "take no prisoners" mentality!!!
Compassion doesn't look like his strong suit from that picture.

[Bob W]

Boy, what ever happened to the city I love and the police department that did a great job protecting it. I've been gone 20 years and don't recognize any part of the department. Has the city and department evolved or devolved. Anyone remember Sam Yorty, no illegal aliens, and a police department with 6000 officers who had control of the crime? What a shame.

[Hopeful]

To "Welcome back Rafael" - Just because you say you were a Rampart cop doesn't make it so. It seems pretty obvious by your comments that you're a disgruntled civilian who bought into the lies of Rafael Perez. Do yourself, and all of us, a favor and stop lying yourself.

Good luck to the new chief.

[lacityworker]

Poor Chief Beck - He is going to be a puppet for Mayor Villaraigosa and I am sure Bratton will have his hands in the pie also - Bratton will remain in the LAPD picture.

[Rod Bernsen]

I guess it is now, "Good Bye Charlie and Hello Chief!"
Chief Beck is an outstanding choice for the citizens and the officers of the LAPD

[mario]

good choice,,,now let get rid of the mayor.

[bill]

nice, now lets get rid of that putz the mayor.

[Bill Hagen]

Congrats Charlie Beck. Back in 1981 I was fresh out of the Academy assigned to Pacific Division. Charlie Beck was one of my training officers during my 1 Year probationary period,among many. Charlie was a plus 1 at the time I was assigned to him, He was good and decent Copper who did his very best to give me the experience I needed to go Foward.
He was very knowledgeable and shared that knowledge with all the lesser experienced Officers that came under his guidence. Good Luck Charlie Beck!