LAPD

Captain Blake Chow

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Word on the streets is that LAPD's Central Division is getting a change at the top. Captain Jodi Wakefield is to be replaced as Acting Commanding Officer by Captain Blake Chow, who comes from the same position at the Hollenbeck station. LAPD has not yet officially announced the changes, or when they will take place.

Wakefield is said to be taking a position working with Chief William Bratton. She has held the station's top job since July of 2007, when she replaced Captain Andy Smith, who moved up to become a commander in Central Bureau. Smith is now Assistant Commanding Officer, Operations for South Bureau.

Chow joined the department in 1990, and spent time in the early 1990s as a footbeat officer Downtown. In 2003 he became the first Asian captain assigned to Central Area.

Reached yesterday evening, LAPD Media Relations would only say that changes were expected to be announced in the next 21 days.