Parks Promotes LAPD Veteran to Deputy Chief
Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard C. Parks on Wednesday announced the promotion of Cmdr. Art Lopez to the rank of deputy chief.
Parks said Lopez will fill the vacancy left by Deputy Chief Ronald C. Banks, who is leaving the LAPD to become chief of the Inglewood Police Department.
Lopez, currently the LAPD’s ombudsman, will replace Banks as head of the Central Division, Parks said during a briefing with reporters.
A 26-year veteran of the LAPD, Lopez was one of six semifinalists for the then-vacant chief’s position last summer.
Throughout his career, Lopez has held a number of high-profile assignments throughout the LAPD in patrol, training and other areas. Last year, he spearheaded the LAPD’s effort to absorb the police force of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
“It’s hard to talk through a smile,” Lopez said after the appointment. “I feel very honored to be in this position.”
He added that he feels “philosophically tied at the hip” to Parks and looks forward to working more closely with him.
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