The Los Angeles Police Department's Assistant Chief Dominic Choi will lead the nation’s the third-largest municipal police department as interim chief, the Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners decided Wednesday.
The board unanimously selected Choi, who will take over March 1 after Chief Michel Moore retires.
Choi, who has been in charge of the LAPD's daily operations as one of the top commanders, said his goal is to maintain stability within the department as the city searches for a new chief.
"My commitment is that I’ll serve as a collaborative leader and ensure that we move forward, stay on track, and stay focused on increasing public safety," Choi said during a news conference, standing next to LA Mayor Karen Bass. "I’ll maintain open lines of communication. I’ll be present. I’ll be available not only to [the mayor] and to the commission, but also to the personnel at the LAPD and the public."
Get top local stories in Southern California delivered to you every morning. Sign up for NBC LA's News Headlines newsletter.
Los Angeles Police Commission president Erroll Southers explained the decision, saying the Board of Police Commissioners held lengthy interviews with a small list of candidates before selecting Choi as the interim chief.
"During Chief Choi's interview, it became clear that he was the best person to lead the Los Angeles Police Department into the next chapter," Southers said. "He's someone who's been seen in the LAPD, someone who understands American policing and the change throughout the years, changes in how the department handles use of force, how the department interacts with vulnerable communities, community policing and investing in the communities that we serve."
In addition to having served as the LAPD's Homelessness Coordinator, Choi previously was an aide to Chief Moore, managed operations around Downtown LA and supervised a number of administrative units.
"I have known Dominic for many years," Moore said. "Dominic possesses a comprehensive combination of extensive knowledge of the department's operations at all levels, extraordinary people skills, and team building capabilities."
Choi said he will also focus on recruitment of new officers as retirements continue to outpace the hiring of new officers.
Mayor Karen Bass has set a goal of a 9,300 officer force; as of this week the LAPD has just under 9,000 officers as the City prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the 2028 Summer Olympic games.
"We are constantly busy, and busier than ever," Choi explained. “I need to make sure that we take down barriers to hiring, and we shorten the hiring timeline."
Choi, who joined the LAPD in 1995 three years after the LA Riots, will be the first Korean American and first Asian American to serve as an interim chief.
“I'm very happy to be the first Korean American interim chief, and I proudly represent the community,” Choi said. “But to be absolutely clear, my role is to represent all communities within the city. I will make sure public safety is equally and inclusively done throughout the city, and we're not siloing any communities."
The current LAPD Chief Michel Moore announced he was retiring at the end of February. In an interview with NBCLA, Moore said he planned to move to Tennessee to be closer to his daughter so he could spend more time with her and his wife.
As a condition for being considered for interim chief, Choi had agreed that he would not seek the permanent chief's job. Choi said he plans to stay on the department even after a permanent chief is sworn in.
