Assistant Chief Beatrice Girmala will retire from the Los Angeles Police Department at the end of the month after 37 years with the department, the Police Commission announced Tuesday.
Girmala leads the Office of Special Operations and oversees the LAPD’s entire patrol division.
“No other woman has held that position, and in my humble opinion, she has brought needed, enhanced training programs to all uniformed patrol officers, and she has managed that department like no other before her,” commission President William Briggs said. “… Chief Girmala, on behalf of the commission, I salute you for a job well done.”
Girmala was promoted from deputy chief by former LAPD Chief Charlie Beck in 2016. She also served as commander of the department’s employee relations group and as the commanding officer of the Hollywood area.
“Being the first woman to achieve all these milestones requires tremendous strength. It’s not easy, particularly when 80% of your colleagues are male. But fortunately for the city of Los Angeles, you had the strength, the endurance and the tenacity to succeed,” commission Vice President Eileen Decker said.
Information was not immediately available from the LAPD regarding Girmala’s plans after her retirement.
