Los Angeles Police Chief Announces Promotion

Los Angeles: On Tuesday, May 8, 2007, Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton, announced the promotion of Commander Sergio Diaz to the rank of Deputy Chief. 

Commander Diaz, currently Assistant Commanding Officer Special Operations Bureau, will assume his new command as Deputy Chief of the LAPDs Central Bureau effective immediately.

Commander Diaz was appointed to the LAPD in February 1977.  He was promoted to sergeant in November 1985, to lieutenant in January 1991 and captain in May 1998.  As a police officer his assignments included patrol duties in Southwest, 77th Street and Hollenbeck Areas.  Diaz was also assigned as the Hispanic media liaison officer in the Media Relations Section of the Office of the Chief of Police because of his ability to read, write and speak Spanish fluently.

Chief Diaz was appointed to the rank of commander in 2006, assigned as the Assistant Commanding Officer of Special Operations Bureau.

Commander Diaz is a Director of the Hispanic Law Enforcement Administrators; a Department organization dedicated to helping develop the LAPD's future leaders.

A complete bio of Commander Diaz can be found on www.lapdonline.org

Comments

[what else is new]

I see Chief "Mea Culpa" Bratton wasted no time dumping a Caucasian 30 year Police veteran before an investigation had even been finalized and putting in a Latino in his place. Nothing against Latinos as I have tons of them as friends but it's no surprise that the new guy was put in as part of the Mayor's agenda to turn L.A. into Mexico City. If I hear the mayor talk again about "the community" (referring to the millions of illegals here) I am going to throw up.

Bratton -- PLEASE stop with the hang dog look on your face everytime some radical reconquista with a communist agenda tells you to apologize. Isn't it bad enough you threw your men under the bus before the first film clip aired. Good Lord, have SOME pride.

[Greg Blake]

Don't let this promotion fool everyone. This is Antonio's choice not Bratton. They figure if you put a Latino there it will make nice with the illegals. NOT!!! Sorry Sergio but you're nothing but a political pond. I have never seen this city so politically inept as it is now. No leadership, no guts, no glory, no spine with anyone at the top.

[Frank M.]

Don't forget Los Angeles had plenty of anglo/white Mayors before Antonio Villaraigosa. Did they make the city some mythical magical place. You cops sure are sounding racist. There is nothing worse than losing you "good old boy" stronghold.

I remember the same thing being said about women on the Police force, I am sure it really gnaws at you to take orders from women and minorities.

You "good old boys" get ready we may just have our first woman president. And in the future a latina woman might just be Chief of Police.

[Matt Payne]

Sergio Diaz was a Commander for about 1 year total, prior to that he was Captain of Southeast...Wow, he must be really really good!

[c.andrade]

ENOUGH ALREADY!!! There is a much bigger picture here!
The cops that criticize Bratton can’t see the forest for the trees, while the civilians can’t see the tree for the forest!!!! Perspective people! I preface this comment by bringing to the attention of both sides our universal character defect as humans, to simplifying the complicated, and complicate the simple. We are lazy at our core, all of us. We all prefer multiple choice or true and false questions to answer rather than the dreaded essay. Well, we are evolved and continue to evolve, and the issues of our times do not fit so nicely into easy answers. Catch up.

Yes, while media bias is, and always will be, LAPD did display some less than appropriate crowd control techniques. However, I saw some incredible restraint by these officers in that if someone threw a bottle or rock at me, I would probably shoot to kill; hence, I am not a cop. They only higher folks like me in the deep south, and having been absent that area of the country for many years I am only assuming that they have evolved to using guns, when I resided South of the Mason Dixon Line they were still stringing people up and leaving them hang as examples…..but I digress. Fight or flight is a human behavior. The challenge is in how to appropriately deal with that aspect of who we are as humans and appropriately provide public safety while being assaulted.

On behalf of our Chief, this is a man that is relentless in his pursuit of accountability and transparency in the department. Hello???? Accountability and transparency in any kind of government agency, from someone who is in government no less, have we died and gone to heaven??? The chief did not like the way things transpired. Does that mean he doesn’t support his cops? No, it means “we have a problem people, we need to fix it.” Not cover it up, not back peddle, but acknowledge that something was not done the best way possible. For a clearer understanding of our Chiefs philosophy, he comes across quite impressively in his book Turnaround, but unfortunately, that information can only be acquired by reading the book. Is it on tape or CD as an option for our passive learners?

I think the real issue is the integrity that the Chief demonstrated by being honest. Wouldn’t it be absolutely fabulous if honesty spread like a virus??? The cops that were to overtly violent could acknowledge this and seek to temper their behavior via self- scrutiny and brain storming with their comrades to come up with a solution???? Would the civilian critics have the courage to look at Law enforcements actions as the consequence to rabble rousers who initiated conflict? Then, perhaps contribute to the dialog of, just how do we successfully contain potential mayhem when gatherers assault police?

My suggestion would be a greater use of the equine units. Everybody likes horses and it seems to provide a buffer that tempers police presence yet provides excellent crowd control. Moreover, if anybody throws rocks or bottles at the officers, they can look forward to a strong PETA presence for addition support. I jest, the point is this. We have a Chief that is at the forefront of revolutionizing the way government is run. Your support of Chief Bratton identifies you as one of the many who want accountability and transparency in government. Those who oppose him are in support of spin, cover-up and politics as usual. History will ultimately provide the conclusion. Where you place yourself is entirely up to you.

[JB]

Just wondering when the Mayor and Chief are going to have a press conference to announce the arrests of the "agitators" that started the riot. Multiple felonious assaults against officers occurred that day, but not one arrest has been made. How about calling for the FBI, Chief. The City will spend countless man hours investigating officers. But when it comes to investigating felony assaults against officers, well, I guess its just part of our jobs. Thanks for your support chief.

P.S. Somebody finally makes a decision and what happens, he gets demoted. The next time action needs to be taken; it wont be. You can't get demoted by not taking action. The only people getting hurt will be the officers standing there taking rocks and bottles on their, from now on, helmet less heads.

[m officer]

Lt, I guess this blog is only for comments that are approved. I thought all would be posted unless they had profanity or other material not suitable for publishing. Not for a point of view from a involved officer.

[George]

c.andrade well written... I wish everyone had insight as you...Chief Bratton for second term....History will provide thwe conclusion....

[c.andrade]

George, you wouldn't by any chance have been a student under Catherine Burke, Associate Professor @ USC? If yes,
Lt.De La Torre you may forward my email address to the respected alumnist.

[LAPD Reserve]

Why was "M Officer" 's comments not published. If he was on the line we should know his perspective. If it did not contain profanity then why was it not posted. What is the LAPD brass hiding?