Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore will retire next month after more than four decades with the nation’s third-largest police department. Moore has served as chief since 2018 when he was appointed by former mayor Eric Garcetti.
"There's more sand in the bottom of my hour glass than there is at the top," the 63-year-old chief said during a news conference. "This is a job that takes its toll on you on a number of different levels. I'm ready and I believe that we're in a good spot."
Moore added that despite “mistakes and missteps” he has made, “my work has seen success across a broad spectrum of topics, unmatched by any other law enforcement agency in this country."
Moore’s tenure was a rocky one to say the least, and much of it was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. He had to grapple with the effects of rising homelessness, a dispute over vaccine mandates for police officers, protests following the murder of George Floyd, calls to defund police, and a surge in organized retail theft.
During the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, LAPD officers were accused of improper use of force and unlawful detentions of peaceful protesters.
In 2021, while trying to detonate a cache of illegal fireworks, the department’s Bomb Squad caused a massive explosion in a South L.A. neighborhood. Seventeen people were injured and dozens of homes and businesses were damaged. Chief Moore faced heavy criticism for the incident.
Despite the criticism he faced, Moore retired with a number of distinguished awards for his service, including the Medal of Valor, the Police Medal, the Police Star, and the Police Meritorious Service Medal.
Mayor Karen Bass is tasked with appointing the city’s next police chief. She said Moore will continue to consult the city until a successor is found.