Reassignment of Command Staff Officers

Los Angeles: In an effort to enhance the Los Angeles Police Department’s ability to further reduce crime while providing its Command Staff an opportunity to broaden its experience and knowledge base, the Department is announcing it will be reassigning two Deputy Chiefs and begin the process of promotional considerations.

Deputy Chief James McMurray has been overseeing the operations of the LAPD’s Detective Bureau since his appointment by Chief William Bratton on April 15, 2003. Chief McMurray has spent 28 years of his career as a detective, detective supervisor or as a detective executive. Chief McMurray will be retiring July 3, 2004 after nearly 35 years of dedicated service to the people of the City of Los Angeles. “Chief McMurray brought a wealth of investigative experience to his position as Chief of Detectives,” said LAPD Chief Bratton. “Under his leadership, detectives got back into the game of solving crimes 24-7, while at the same time achieving a new sense of appreciation Department-wide for the extraordinary work they do.”

Taking McMurray’s place as Chief of Detectives is Deputy Chief Gary Brennan. Deputy Chief Brennan, a native of Los Angeles and third generation LAPD officer, joined the Department as a Police Student Worker in 1968. He was appointed as a Police Officer in 1973 and has served in patrol, investigative, training and administrative assignments throughout the Department. Brennan is currently the Commanding Officer, Operations-Central Bureau. “Deputy Chief Brennan has extensive Department experience in Operations, but has not had the opportunity in his career to work in a substantial investigative role. We want to give him that opportunity,” said Gascón.

Replacing Brennan at Operations-Central Bureau will be Deputy Chief Cayler “Lee” Carter, Jr. Chief Carter is currently assigned as Commanding Officer, Operations-West Bureau. “Chief Carter has done an outstanding job fighting crime in West Bureau,” said Gascón. “We expect he will utilize his leadership skills in another geographic bureau where he will face different demographic, community and crime issues.” Deputy Chief Carter has been a long-time advocate of personal involvement outside of the Department and has played an active role in the FBI National Academy Associates, Fraternal Order of Police and the Hispanic Law Enforcement Administrators. Deputy Chief Carter proudly served in the United States Navy from 1966 to 1970 and is a Vietnam Veteran.

Deputy Chief Carter and Deputy Chief Brennan’s reassignments will become effective July 4, 2004.

This news release was prepared by Mary Grady, director of Public Information, at 213-485-3586.