First New Commanding Officer in 15 years

Captain Leslie replaces retired Commanding Officer  Eric Davis.

by Isabel De Los Angeles and Steffany De La Rosa

 

Captain Howard Leslie was promoted to Commanding Officer of the Wilshire Community of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) on September 19th, 2014, after working for LAPD for 27 years.

 

 He still remembers his first day on the job, June 22, 1987.  

 

“It was overwhelming having to learn all those things; listen to the radio, stay safe, listen to your partner. It was a skill you had to learn really quickly,” Leslie said.

 

Before becoming Commanding Officer, Leslie had other important roles.

 

“I was the officer-in-charge of Gangs and Narcotics Detail in Venice for two and a half years,” said Leslie.

Although the position includes long hours and dangerous work, “it’s a fantastic job, you work with different situations,” said Leslie.

 

For those interested in becoming police officers, Captain Leslie advises: be cleared of any criminal activities, don’t use drugs, and clear any financial problems.

 

Captain Leslie invites anyone, 20 years old or younger, to join the LAPD Cadet program and high school juniors and seniors to join the Police Orientation Preparation Program (P.O.P.P.).  P.O.P.P.  provides exposure to leadership skills and an opportunity to work in a unique learning environment.

 

Being a police officer is very challenging, but not impossible.

 

“Overall, at the end of the day people recognize hard workers. As long as you work hard you will be successful,” said Captain Leslie.