Assistant Chief Dominic H. Choi was unanimously appointed Wednesday by the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners as the interim chief of the Los Angeles Police Department.
He is the first Asian American to serve as chief of the LAPD, the third-largest law enforcement agency in the nation.
Choi will not be applying to fill the position permanently, following rules that the commissioners established in their search for an interim chief.
“This appointment will continue our work to make Los Angeles safer,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “I look forward to working with Interim Chief Choi in the coming months as he provides steady and stable leadership for our police department.
“Interim Chief Choi’s more than 28 years of service to this city as a member of the police department put him in a unique position to not only lead, but to grow and improve our department. I want to thank Interim Chief Choi for his willingness to accept this appointment as we work to make our city safer for all.”
The son of Korean immigrants, Choi was raised locally and began his career with the LAPD in 1995 after earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California. He worked patrol assignments in a variety of divisions, rising through the ranks to detective, sergeant, and lieutenant.
In 2014, he was promoted to captain, serving in both Foothill Area and Pacific Area. In 2017, he was promoted to commander of operations, Central Bureau, and later the department’s homeless coordinator. He remained in that position until he was promoted to deputy chief in 2019.
Choi will assume the responsibility of interim chief of police on Friday, March 1. He thanked the mayor and the commissioners for having “faith and confidence” in him.
“I realize this appointment comes with tremendous, tremendous responsibility and I look forward to those challenges in the work ahead,” Choi said.
The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners issued the following statement: “Assistant Chief Choi’s vast experience during his 28-year career with the department has prepared him to act as the department’s interim chief of police. He is a well-respected leader within the department and the community, known for his vast knowledge and measured decision making.
“The Police Commission is confident he is uniquely qualified to steward the department into its next chapter and will lead the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department until a permanent chief of police is selected.”
Bass said that the outgoing police chief, Michel Moore, will remain contracted with the city following his retirement at the end of February to help with the transition to a new chief.