Central Captain Blake Chow Promoted to Commander
Ed Fuentes
Captain Blake Chow serves Thanksgiving dinner at the L.A. Mission on Wednesday.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — As LAPD's Central Division comes to the end of a year in which crime has been down nearly 8% from 2008, it must also prepare for new leadership.
Captain Blake Chow, appointed to head the station in February, is being promoted to Commander. He won't be leaving Downtown, though, just moving down the hall to work in Operations-Central Bureau.
Chow broke the news on his Facebook account this evening. "Chief Beck called me this afternoon to tell me I'm being promoted to Commander," he wrote.
Just today, the Downtown News published a story praising Chow's leadership and his work with the Downtown community. Mentioned was a weekly email Chow sent out, which we publish on blogdowntown.
No successor has been named for the Central Division's top job. Chow will finish out the year in his current role, with the promotion taking effect on January 3.
James Hightower on November 25, 2009, at 09:54PM – #1
But... But... He just got here!
Captain Blake Chow on November 25, 2009, at 10:10PM – #2
Operations Central-Bureau is the office that oversees operations in Central/Rampart/Hollenbeck/Newton and Northeast. I will still be involved in and around Downtown LA.
Ed Fuentes on November 25, 2009, at 10:46PM – #3
You're gonna hafta change that screen name soon, Commander.
Edgar Varela on November 25, 2009, at 11:00PM – #4
Give the Captain spot to Kris Werner
Brian Humphrey on November 26, 2009, at 07:29AM – #5
Congratulations to Commander Chow on his promotion. It is comforting to know he will build upon his considerable experience to continue serving Downtown LA.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey Firefighter/Specialist Public Service Officer Los Angeles Fire Department
General Jeff on November 26, 2009, at 10:23AM – #6
Congratulations to "Commander" Blake Chow!
It has been a pleasure working with you and your department as we addressed the many issues in Skid Row. I'm confident that he will do a tremendous job in his new role.
My concern now is towards the person that will be replacing Commander Chow. After having direct and continuous access to the Captain of Central Division, I'm sure the new captain will bring their own nuances which may not be conducive to Skid Row and the progress we were making with then-Captain Chow.
Already, the word is spreading through our community and everybody is fearing and predicting the worst, as in "doomsday" is on it's way and the strong-arm, bully tactics by LAPD will soon return to Skid Row.
Damn!
Babs on November 28, 2009, at 05:09AM – #7
Congratulations to the Captain/Commander-to-be. While it is good to know that his expertise and experience in the downtown area will be utilized in his new post, the short tenure as captain is one of concern to those of us in other areas who have also lost captains after a short time (and too frequently).
Just as our WLA captains have gotten to know the community, off they go to another post in another area. I cannot tell you how many captains we have had in the past five years. We have been told that the personnel promotion system causes cascades of changes when one person is advanced or retires. Well, those of us from other walks of life cannot understand how it is good for any type of organization to constantly be reassigning management/leadership. It can't be good for team building purposes internally in a station and it certainly isn't great for building relationships in the community. We are constantly going back to the beginning... over and over again. What hope, if any, is there for change?
Citizen on November 30, 2009, at 10:57AM – #8
Congratulations Commander Chow. Your input will be missed.
Ravi on November 30, 2009, at 01:06PM – #9
Congratulations Commander! My father was an officer (in another state) and I know these transitions and opportunities are few and far between. Best of luck and go get 'em!
Dennis on November 30, 2009, at 01:12PM – #10
That's nice for Chow but doesn't he think it would have been more appropriate for the media relations to break the story on his promotion? I didn't know LAPD Captains could have Facebook pages. I'm glad Chow cleaned up those illegal vendors as much as he did in downtown