Compton : Police Chief Carrington Says He’ll Retire Oct. 7

Police Chief James Carrington has told city officials that he plans to retire Oct. 7 when his career as a law enforcement officer reaches 25 years. City Manager Laverta Montgomery has not named a replacement.

In a memo to Montgomery, Carrington, 55, said he leaves behind a solid law enforcement operation staffed by “well-trained, highly principled and self-motivated” officers. “There are systems in place that should provide an orderly transition,” he wrote.

All but four years of Carrington’s career have been spent on the Compton force. He began with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1960, then joined Compton in 1962. He left in 1975 to help the City of Irvine establish its police department, but he returned to Compton in 1978 and two years later was named chief.

Carrington was unavailable for comment this week. At times, his administration has been stormy. Last fall, Councilman Robert L. Adams Sr. suggested that the chief resign, saying that he had lost the respect of many in the 143-officer department.

However, Carrington refused and Montgomery supported him.