LAPD Commissioner Erroll Southers to Resign Amid Controversy
Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioner Erroll Southers, who led the search for a new LAPD chief and faced criticism for his past counterterrorism work, announced his resignation today, ending a two-year term on the influential civilian panel.
Southers, 68, confirmed his departure through a spokesperson, citing a desire to spend more time with family and pursue other professional opportunities. The spokesperson stated that Southers was not asked to resign, but declined to elaborate on the timing. His last commission meeting is scheduled for October 21, with his resignation effective at the end of that week. The timing of Southers’ departure comes as the commission has struggled to maintain full membership, potentially impacting oversight of the department.
Before joining the commission in 2023, Southers had a distinguished career in law enforcement, serving as a police officer in Santa Monica and with the FBI, and later transitioned to academia, earning a doctorate in public policy. He currently holds a security leadership position at the University of Southern California. During his tenure, Southers advocated for changes to LAPD hiring and recruitment practices, but also drew significant criticism for his counterterrorism research conducted in Israel during the mid-2000s, a point of contention heightened by the ongoing crisis in Gaza. Concerns about police accountability and transparency are currently at the forefront of civic debate in Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles City Council will consider the nomination of Jeff Skobin, a San Fernando Valley car dealership executive, to fill the vacant seat next Wednesday, though his appointment still requires full council approval. The difficulties in filling commission seats highlight the challenges in finding qualified candidates willing to undergo public scrutiny, as detailed by the Los Angeles Almanac. The Los Angeles Police Department has faced increased public and political pressure in recent years to address issues of policing reform.
