Deputy Chief Leslie Ramirez Appointed Interim Chief Of Los Angeles School Police Department (07-02-20)

CONTACT:                                                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Shannon Haber, 213-393-1289                          July 2, 2020

Deputy Chief Leslie Ramirez Appointed Interim Chief
Of Los Angeles School Police Department

LOS ANGELES – July 2, 2020 – Los Angeles Unified announced today that Deputy Chief Leslie Ramirez has been named Interim Chief of Los Angeles School Police Department, effective immediately.

“For 22 years, Interim Chief Ramirez has dedicated her career to keeping all in our school community – students, staff and families – safe,” Superintendent Austin Beutner said. “She is the right person to lead implementation of the Board’s directive to change the department’s practices in a way that continues to protect the safety of our school communities, recognizing the significantly reduced resources LASPD will now have.”

A graduate of Alexander Hamilton High School, Interim Chief Ramirez started her career as a campus officer in 1991. She has served the District and School Police Department at both line-level and mid-management ranks that include Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Adjutant to the Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police.

She earned her undergraduate degree in Organizational Management from the University of La Verne and is also a graduate of the USC Sol Price Executive Leadership Program. She was recently appointed to the executive board of the California K-12 Police Chief's Association.

Additionally, Interim Chief Ramirez was recognized for her supervisory leadership of the LASPD Investigative Team, earning the Unit Citation Award for exemplary service. 

“I am honored to have been selected as Interim Chief of Los Angeles School Police,” Interim Chief Ramirez said. “In the weeks ahead, we will begin the process of reviewing and evaluating our operational plan and objectives. Our focus will be to maximize our deployment strategy while minimizing the impact to students, staff and our personnel. What remains unchanged is the importance of our role and our mission to maintain the safest educational environments throughout Los Angeles Unified.”

###