LOS ANGELES — As we begin 2020 and a new decade, the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association is looking forward. On January 2, Chief of Airport Police Cecil W. Rhambo Jr. issued an emergency appointment of Officer Tyrone Stallings and Officer Latasha Wells-Amerson as Assistant Chiefs for the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Police Department’s Office of Homeland Security and Office of Operations. 

This is the first time in the history of the Los Angeles Airport Police that two out of three LAXPD Assistant Chief positions have been filled from within our own ranks. In addition, Chief Rhambo emergency appointed Captain Imer Chavez to the newly created rank of Police Commander over Patrol Services Section.  As LAXPD continues its formal recruitment process to fill positions, these appointments are a big morale booster to LAXPD. 

The promotion of officers from LAXPD’s own rank and file is crucial to building a great airport police force and upholding the airport’s “gold standard.” These actions illustrate that LAWA has implemented strong training and management of its police force as it continues to grow and provide upward mobility to officers who are exceptional. 

“We thank Chief Rhambo for recognizing the leadership abilities of Captains Tyrone Stallings, Latasha Wells-Amerson and Imer Chavez,” said LAAPOA President Marshall McClain. “Our Department and airport’s recruitment of leadership positions should always reflect the gold standard that we strive to uphold, regardless of whether it is a local or nationwide search. Nonetheless, the promotion of these very qualified officers sends a clear message to every officer at LAXPD.”