Skip to Content
News

L.A.P.D. Chief Charlie Beck Announces He Will Retire

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck discuss 2013 crime statistics for the city of Los Angeles. 1/13/2014

Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck announced late last week that he is stepping down early, ending an eight-year term and a career in the force of over 40 years.

The chief made the announcement during a news conference with Mayor Eric Garcetti addressing the status of the city’s crime. The Los Angeles Times said insiders have speculated for a while that the chief would retire before the end of his final term.

“Serving the citizens of Los Angeles for over 40 years has been the honor of a lifetime,” he tweeted on the day of his announcement. “Leading the men and women of the #LAPD- my family – has been a privilege I never thought I’d be worthy of.”

During his appointment as Police Chief, Beck faced major moments in Los Angeles, including the 1992 L.A. riots and the Rampart corruption scandal. Chief Beck said the department was ready for “fresh eyes.” His last day in office is June 27, his 65th birthday.

“I plan on working every day until that day as the Chief of the greatest law enforcement agency in the country,” he added on Twitter.

I plan on working every day until that day as the Chief of the greatest law enforcement agency in the country. I believe we are in the right place to support my decision, and give the next generation of #LAPD leaders an opportunity to lead.

— Chief Charlie Beck (@LAPDChiefBeck) January 19, 2018

The department under Beck’s tenure also faced sharp criticism for its handling of fatal police shootings and the use of force. According to the data compiled by The Guardian, Los Angeles Police killed more people in 2016 — 19 civilians — than any other municipal police force. It also had the highest figure in 2015, the Guardian says.

Though it is not clear who will be the next chief, Latino leaders, including California state senator Kevin de Leon and City Councilman Gil Cedillo, have said that the next chief should be one the immigrant community can trust and believe in, news agencies reported.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Tens of Thousands of Angelenos Flock to L.A.’s Flower District for a Valentine’s Day Flower Free-For-All

Tens of thousands made their way to the city's wholesale flower capital, jamming the streets and sidewalks with countless flowers and people. L.A. TACO'S contributing photographer Kemal Cilengir was there to capture it all, including street vendors getting fined and the dystopian-like flower free-for-all being had by lovestruck customers and hustling vendors eager to offload their prized plants.

February 14, 2025

This Weekend: A New Bar-Setting Indian Restaurant, Duck Laab Pizza, and a Filipino Breakfast Diner Pop-Up

Have a three-day weekend full of chai cheesecake, black garlic cocktails, egg pie, and famous flour tortillas.

February 14, 2025

Self-Defense Against ICE: Community Groups In L.A. Are Uniting to Protect Themselves

More than 50 organizations have joined the call to join this coalition, making it one of Southern California's largest immigrant rights coalitions. The group aims to extend from the San Fernando Valley to the U.S./Mexico border. The coalition is organizing training sessions to prepare its members for community tactics to defend their neighbors from ICE raids and deportations. Their first mass protest is taking place on Monday.

February 13, 2025

Tacos Before Vatos: 13 Tacos In L.A. That Will Make You Forget About Him

For L.A. TACO, love is always in the air, and it smells like charcoal burning on a sunny day under carne asada and tortillas hot off the comal, with vibrant salsas, caramelized onions, and thick guacamole. Forget him, and spend time with things that matter in life: tacos, forever. 

February 13, 2025

Unmatched Hustle: Immigrant from Michoacán’s Tierra Caliente Creates Innovative Tortillería on Wheels…In Bakersfield

Many come and buy pounds and pounds to share with their family members as soon as they taste a warm “taco de sal,” a tortilla sprinkled simply with salt and rolled up like a thin flauta. It’s common to eat tacos de sal while waiting in line at a tortillería in Mexico, but not so much in the U.S. 

February 12, 2025
See all posts