LOS ANGELES — The Board of Police Commissioners Friday reported no action was taken following their closed-session meeting to discuss the appointment of an interim chief of police as Los Angeles Police Department Chief Michel Moore is set to retire at the end of February.

On Friday morning, prior to entering closed session, the five-member board of commissioners heard testimony from three individuals on the agenda. The comments were brief, limited to one minute.

Comments both encouraged the board to select a strong leader as interim chief and also criticized the board for not doing more to increase public engagement. The process of selecting an interim chief could take several weeks, but a decision must be made prior to Moore’s retirement.

Nearly five hours after entering closed-session, the commissioners came out and an official said “no action was taken by the board.”

Mayor Karen Bass told City News Service that there will be a three- front process to identify and select a new police chief.

She explained the police commission will be making a decision and selecting a national search firm to conduct the search.

“We are not opposed to an internal candidate, but as the nation’s second largest city we need to search wide to make sure that we get the best.”

Bass added her office will conduct an extensive outreach process to gather input from LAPD officers, as well as residents of the city.

“I want to hear from the men and women of the force. What they want to see — not who — what they want to see in their next chief,” Bass said.

“In terms of myself, I want to see our department continue to be rooted in community-based policing,” she added.

The mayor noted she would like to see a push for mental health.

“We need to really strengthen mental health because if you look at so much of what officers have to do on a daily basis, it’s really not law enforcement related. It’s related to the fact that on every level of government there’s been a divestment in social services and safety nets,” Bass said.

“When things fall through cracks, they fall on the shoulders of the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department,” Bass added. “I do not think that’s fair.”

As part of their work, 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 Bass to consider for the appointment.

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

The chief, who was appointed last year to serve a second five-year term leading the agency, said he had not intended to 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.

The next police chief will need approval by Mayor Bass, and then by the full City Council.