LAPD Chief Michel Moore told the Board of Police Commissioners Tuesday that Los Angeles has seen an increase in homicides and shooting violence this month, but he said it was accompanied by an overall reduction in crimes.
Moore delivered his final update to the board Tuesday regarding recent crime statistics and significant events, as he is set to retire Thursday.
The chief reported a continued reduction of 7.4% in Part One crimes, such as violent crimes and property crimes. February saw an increase in homicides and shooting violence with 47 homicides year-to-date, compared to 40 homicides at this time last year.
So far this year, the Los Angeles Police Department has reported 189 shooting victims versus 174 in the same time last year.
“The department is closely following the instances of where these are occurring,” Moore said. “We have seen an increase in gang-related and street violence between opposing factions within out neighborhoods.”
LAPD officials are working with gang reduction, youth development, outreach and intervention workers in an effort to address disputes to prevent further violence, Moore added.
Added patrols are working in the impacted areas, and helping to solve some of these issues, he said.
The chief also said that as of Feb. 17, there have been five officer-involved shootings this year.
The department’s number of sworn officers stand at 8,915, about 378 below the authorized limit, Moore said. The department’s civilian personnel is about 2,644, 254 members below the authorized limit.
Moore took a moment to reflect on his many years of service, calling the LAPD the “the finest police department in the world.” He noted his goal as the police chief was to build on the success of predecessors Charlie Beck and Bill Bratton in improving public trust, lowering crime, modernizing technology and addressing the most pressing concerns of residents.
“No one could have imagined what our city in this department faced in the last five years with an unprecedented combination of challenges and crises that is unmatched in our lifetime,” Moore said.
He touted his work in bolstering community trust, implementing reforms such as use-of-force policy and de-escalation, expanding alternative services and increasing the diversity of the workforce.
“Over the last half of the year, recruitment is improving and we’re retaining more of our young officers who previously had been lost to other agencies,” Moore added.
He also described the board’s choice as “thoughtful” in selecting Dominic Choi as the interim chief of police. Moore called Choi an “outstanding leader, a team builder, a communicator and well-equipped” to move the department forward until the board and Mayor Karen Bass identify the next chief of police.
Choi is expected to step into the position on Friday. The police commissioners also approved an increase to his annual salary for taking on the role — to about $392,774.
Erroll Southers, president of the Board of Police Commissioners, thanked Moore again for his 43 years of service.
“I’d like to commend you for the crime reduction initiatives that you engaged during your tenure as chief,” Southers said.