Temporary Police Chief Named

Inglewood Police Capt. Larry Carter was named Wednesday to temporarily replace Chief Raymond Johnson when he leaves the department next month to become an aide to Gov. Pete Wilson.

Before he assumes the new role of acting police chief on Oct. 1, Carter will become acting deputy chief, filling a position vacated by James Butts, who left this week to become Santa Monica’s police chief.

The simultaneous loss of Inglewood’s top two commanders has rocked the 210-officer department, according to department sources.

The 53-year-old Carter--who has 30 years experience in law enforcement, 25 of them on the Inglewood force--implemented the city’s narcotics sting program, which arrested drug buyers and plastered the city with billboards warning “behind your rock could be a cop.” He has headed the SWAT, K-9, narcotics, vice and internal investigations divisions.

City Manager Paul Eckles said in a statement that he hopes a new chief will be in place by the beginning of next year. Eckles also announced the promotions of Lt. William Brown and Lt. Tom Hoffman to acting captains.