LOS ANGELES — Following Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore’s announcement that he will retire at the end of February, members of the LA Police Commission Tuesday said they will celebrate his tenure in the coming weeks.

What You Need To Know

  • Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore announced his retirement last Friday alongside Mayor Karen Bass at City Hall

  • Members of the LA Police Commission said Tuesday they will celebrate Moore's tenure in the coming weeks

  • Officials gave no exact date for when the celebration will happen, but the commissioners will have until the end of February, before the chief retires

  • Moore joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1981 and has served as LAPD chief since 2018 when he was appointed by then-Mayor Eric Garcetti

“The Board of Police Commissioners would like to thank Chief Michel Moore for more than forty years of dedicated public service. His leadership, as a longstanding member of the command staff, rising to the position of Chief of Police, has guided the department through many storms,” the commissioners wrote in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon.

“We are grateful for his time protecting and serving the people of this great city,” the statement read. “We hope you will join us in celebrating him and sending him into his next chapter with our deepest appreciation.

Though officials gave no exact date for when the celebration will happen, the commissioners will have until the end of February, before the chief retires.

Moore announced his retirement last Friday alongside Mayor Karen Bass at City Hall.

The chief, who was appointed last year to serve a second five-year term leading the agency, reiterated that he had not intended the serve the entirety of that term, saying the LAPD should have fresh leadership ahead of the city hosting major events such as the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics.

Moore joined the Los Angeles Police Department in 1981. He was promoted to captain in 1998. His assignments included assuming command of the Rampart Division after a police corruption scandal and serving in a top command capacity at the 2000 Democratic National Convention.

He has served as LAPD chief since 2018 when he was appointed by then-Mayor Eric Garcetti.

Bass said Moore will remain contracted with the city following his retirement to help with the transition to a new chief.

Moore had said that he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and daughter, returning to “our custom of Sunday night dinners and time together.”

The Board of Police Commissioners, under the leadership of president Erroll Southers, will be tasked with identifying and selecting an individual to serve as the interim police chief, as well as identifying the top three candidates for the mayor to consider for the appointment.

Bass said the search to fill Moore’s position will be nationwide.

Related Stories

The Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union representing, LAPD officers, issued a statement thanking Moore for his service and laid out the organization’s hopes for the next chief.

“We commend Chief Michel Moore on his 43 years of service to the Los Angeles Police Department and the residents of Los Angeles,” the union said. “His tenure was marked by unprecedented changes in the law enforcement profession, and we appreciated Chief Moore’s open-door policy that allowed the LAPPL to deliver the perspective of the rank and file on various issues. Although we did not always agree, we had a respectful and productive relationship. We wish Chief Moore and his family the best in his retirement.

“In choosing a new chief, we urge the Police Commission and Mayor Bass to select an individual who’s committed to rebuilding the ranks of the department, reducing violent crime, and improving morale,” the union added. “These are challenging times for our city, as well as for our profession and we will need a leader unafraid of speaking truth to power, who will advocate for our rank and file and the safety of all Angelenos.”