Northeast Area Community Police Station to be renamed in honor of the Department’s first female Deputy Chief, Margaret “Peggy” York – NA22094jc

WHAT:
News Conference to announce the renaming of LAPD’s Northeast Area Community Police Station and to unveil a plaque in honor of Deputy Chief Margaret “Peggy” York.

WHEN:
Friday, October 28, 2022
9:00 a.m.

WHERE:
LAPD Northeast Area Community Police Station
3353 San Fernando Road
Los Angeles, CA 90065

WHO:
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
Los Angeles City Councilmember Joe Buscaino, Council District 15
Los Angeles Police Commission President William Briggs II
Los Angeles Police Commissioner Eileen Decker
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel R. Moore
Los Angeles Assistant General Manager Claudia Luna, LA Civil + Human Rights and Equality Department
LAPD Commander Ruby Flores, Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Officer and President of Los Angeles Women Police Officers and Associates
LAPD Captain Chris Waters, Commanding Officer, Northeast Area Police Station
The Honorable Lance Ito, Retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge and Husband to Deputy Chief Peggy York
Cynthia York Shadian, Daughter of Deputy Chief Peggy York
David York, Son of Deputy Chief Peggy York
LAPD Retired Lieutenant Helen Kidder, Deputy Chief York’s 1968 Academy Classmate and Deputy Chief York’s partner as LAPD’s first all-female homicide investigation team.

ADDITIONAL:
Deputy Chief Margaret “Peggy” York was born August 4, 1941 in Canton, Ohio. She was appointed to the LAPD in 1965 as a Radio Telephone Operator and worked this assignment until 1968 when she entered the police academy.

Deputy Chief York was appointed as a Policewoman on April 22, 1968. She began her career during a time when women were only allowed to work certain assignments and did not have pay or benefit parity with their male counterparts. She persevered and helped pioneer a path for women to ascend to ranks within the Department that were previously unattainable.

During her tenure, she worked a variety of assignments as an investigator (most notably as one-half of an all-female homicide investigation team which was the inspiration for the 1980s television show, Cagney and Lacey) and went on to become a Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Commander culminating her career as the first female Deputy Chief of the Department. Deputy Chief York retired on November 17, 2002 and was last assigned to Operations-Central Bureau.

Regrettably, on Sunday, October 17, 2021, Deputy Chief Margaret “Peggy” York, passed away. Chief Michel Moore said, “Deputy Chief York was a consummate professional. She joined policing at a time when women were faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. As a pioneer, she demonstrated true grit and utilized her talents to ascend to the highest ranks within the Department. Along the way, she touched many lives and it was truly an honor to have worked alongside such a humble leader.”

Chief Moore continued, “The dedication and renaming of the Northeast Area Community Police Station, is a true testament to her steadfast tenacity and spirit. Her legacy will continue to inspire the present-day women and men of the Los Angeles Police Department and future generations.”

Commander Ruby Flores said, “Today, we honor and memorialize our dear Chief. The love she had for this Department is immeasurable and today we show her how much it loves her back, by materializing her impact on the Department. Her name will persevere the test of time and signify to current and future women that they can attain whatever they set their hearts to. We will carry on that flame that burned inside Chief York’s soul. We climb the hills she once climbed alone, because she not only led the way, but because she showed us how.”

CONTACT:
For more information, please contact Police Officer Sara Faden, Office of the Chief of Staff, at 213-841-2064.