LAPD appoints first Asian American chief on interim basis

Dominic H. Choi, who is serving as assistant chief, was unanimously appointed Wednesday by the Board of Police Commissioners.

Dominic H. Choi was appointed as the Los Angeles Police Department's interim chief Wednesday, the first time one of the country’s largest police departments has been led by an Asian American.

Choi, an assistant chief, was unanimously appointed by the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners, police said.

“I’m very happy to be the first Korean American interim chief of the Los Angeles Police Department,” Choi said. "I proudly represent that community. But just to be absolutely clear, my role is to represent all communities within this city.”

The appointment follows the surprise retirement of Chief Michel Moore, whose tenure was marked by greater scrutiny into excessive force and police killings of civilians in the nation’s second-largest city. Choi said he has never used deadly force during his 28 years as an officer.

Choi will be the interim chief as the mayor and police commission spend the next six to nine months searching for a permanent replacement — among the LAPD’s ranks and nationwide — to head up the department of nearly 9,000 officers during the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

Moore will stay on as a consultant for an unspecified period of time.

In taking this role, Choi is not allowed to apply for the permanent chief position. He pledged to set the stage for a smooth transition for the next person.