LOS ANGELES AIRPORT POLICE CHIEF NAMED INTERIM DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Executive Director Gina Marie Lindsey today named Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon as interim Deputy Executive Director - Homeland Security and Law Enforcement, effective January 27, 2014.  A nationwide recruitment for the permanent deputy position was launched following the announcement by Arif Alikhan that he will be joining the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) as Special Assistant for Constitutional Policing.

In a memo to staff, Executive Director Lindsey stated:

“As Interim Deputy Executive Director - Homeland Security and Law Enforcement, Gannon will provide leadership, management oversight and policy direction to all law enforcement and security staff at LAWA’s three airports; coordinate with other law-enforcement agencies; be responsible for counter-terrorism efforts; and oversee firefighting, emergency medical, and fire-prevention services provided by the Los Angeles Fire Department at LAX.  I have emphasized to him the importance of participation in airport-wide leadership teams and the responsibility for integrating the law-enforcement and homeland-security functions with Airport Operations and other aviation staff.  Gannon will also continue to serve as chief of Airport Police.”

Patrick Gannon joined LAWA as chief of Airport Police in October 2012 after retiring from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) following 34 years of service, of which 12 years were at the executive management level.  At the time of his retirement, he was serving as deputy chief and commanding officer of LAPD’s Operations-South Bureau.  This Bureau served 800,000 residents in South Los Angeles with 1,700 sworn employees and 150 civilian employees.