Ed Fuentes

Nick Chow, 12, pins his Dad's new badge on his uniform while the family watches.

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — In a loosely formal public ceremony, Commander Blake Chow and other recently promoted Los Angeles Police Department captains and commanders assembled at the Ronald F. Deaton Civic Auditorium were sworn-in on Thursday in front of family, friends, and department brass.

In his brief opening remarks, Chief Charlie Beck noted that the ceremony, the first for the new 400-seat auditorium, may "be the last for a while" due to on-going budget considerations. That made it even more important that he choose the right personnel for these positions, said Beck.

The event wasn't all about gravity, however. Beck's style gave an informal feeling to the afternoon, as did the sloped auditorium room with its sleek lines. Unlike the traditional auditorium at Parker Center, with a high stage that gave authority to ceremony, the new (and smaller) auditorium had a stage that was more platform, giving a different aura to the proceedings.

Chief and facilities combined to make the ceremony about family and friends, not just formality.