LAAPOA extends its congratulations to Acting Assistant Chiefs Tyrone D. Stallings and Latasha Wells Amerson, who Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) yesterday announced were promoted to permanently fill the assistant chief positions for the Los Angeles Airport Police Department (LAXPD).

Both Stallings and Wells Amerson have been serving as acting assistant chiefs as emergency appointments since August 2019 and January of this year, respectively. Assistant Chief Stallings will oversee the Office of Homeland Security and Intelligence, and Assistant Chief Wells Amerson will oversee the Office of Operations.

LAAPOA commends Chief Cecil W. Rhambo Jr. for selecting two outstanding candidates from within our ranks to fill these positions. This is the first time in the history of the LAXPD that two out of three LAXPD assistant chief positions have been filled from within our own ranks. As LAAPOA has said in the past, promoting internal candidates ensures that the department upholds the airport’s “gold standard,” as these rank-and-file officers are equipped with the experience, knowledge and skills needed to manage the safety and security of one of the nation’s largest and busiest airports.

LAAPOA also applauds LAWA CEO Justin Erbacci and Director of Airports Administration Paula Adams for supporting the promotions of Stallings and Wells Amerson. We hope their actions signal a sea change within airport management and that this is just the beginning of internal promotions becoming the norm for LAXPD.