Andre Birotte, Jr., recently gave up his post as Inspector General of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) for new duties as a U.S. Attorney, taking another step on a career that has brought the son of Haitian immigrants to a leading role in the federal government.
Birotte bid farewell to his old colleagues at a reception on March 2 at LAPD's headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles. U.S. President Barack Obama recently appointed Birotte to the post, which makes him the top federal attorney in the Central California district of the U.S. Department of Justice, an area that includes Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Ventura, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.
"The last eight years with the Office of Inspector General have been the most rewarding experiences that I have ever had in my lifetime," Birotte told the crowd, which included Los Angeles Police Commission President John Mack and LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. "The lessons I have learned working through challenging and exciting times, the friends that I have gained, are something that I will take with me. And I hope the lessons learned will make me a successful U.S. Attorney."
Birotte also thanked the members of the Los Angeles Police Commission — five civilians who oversee the operations of the agency — and the staff of 32 who worked for him in the Office of Inspector General.
"It has been their success that has allowed me the opportunity to move on to the next level," Birotte said.
Mack thanked Birotte for serving as the Police Commission's "independent eyes and ears to make sure that the policies and practices established by the commission are being properly implemented."
Beck lauded Birotte for putting a "streak of humanity" in the relationship between LAPD and the office of Inspector General, which often works in an adversarial role as part of efforts to maintain civilian oversight of the agency.
"It is an example of shared responsible, shared commitment to a common goal and the ability to work together to achieve a very worthy result and that has been done," Beck said.
Sheannette Virtue is a writer for Carib Press.
Photo by Sheannette Virtue, CaribPress.
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