LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck Wants 5 More Years

Charlie Beck submitted a letter to the Police Commission today officially seeking a second, five-year term as chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The letter was forwarded to Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Beck wrote that the LAPD has undergone "tremendous progress" in the "four and one-half years" since he was appointed. He said he "believes there is much more to be accomplished."

"We must continue to rebuild and re-engineer a department that's suffered massive budget cuts," he said. "We must continue to be data-driven and help to lead other city departments on the same path. We must enhance our abilities through intelligent use of technology and by doing so fulfill the promise of policing in the 21st century."

Beck said he oversaw a reduction in crime and gang activity, the completion of the federal consent decree requirements, adding that he led the department through the "toughest financial era since the Great Depression."

Beck was required to submit an application to the commission 180 days before the end of his first term, which is Nov. 17.

The commission has until Aug. 20 to decide if they want to keep Beck as chief. Two community meetings will be held as part of Beck's reappointment process.

Garcetti said he is looking forward to "working with our police commission to assess Chief Beck's plans for reducing crime, increasing the use of technology in department operations and continuing to improve community relations and constitutional policing."

"The chief of police must be accountable to the community he serves, and our city charter wisely created a Board of Police Commissioners to maintain civilian oversight of our police department and its chief," he said.

The mayor has no role in the final decision of who becomes police chief, but is responsible for appointing members of the police commission, said mayoral spokeswoman Vicki Curry.

--City News Service