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From: Kariana
Date: 27 Jul 2000
Time: 15:22:29
First deputy chief of Los Angeles police force is Judge Ito's wife By TOM VERDIN Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A 32-year law enforcement veteran, who also is the wife of O.J. Simpson trial judge Lance Ito, has been named the first female deputy chief in the Police Department's history, Chief Bernard C. Parks announced Wednesday.
Margaret A. York, 58, joins six other deputy chiefs in the 9,300-officer department.
York said a top priority will be reducing violence, both on the streets and in the home. The city has been rocked by a wave of violent crime in recent months that counters an overall trend toward lower crime rates.
"We still have dramatically fewer numbers of crimes" than in past years, she said. "However, there has been a little bit of creep up in the numbers, and so I'm very concerned about that."
Four of the deputy chief slots, including York's new position, serve as bureau commanders.
York's assignment as commanding officer for operations of the Central Bureau, oversees five of the department's 18 divisions, including the troubled Rampart section that is at the center of an ongoing corruption probe.
A central challenge will be to repair the division's image, tarnished by allegations that officers planted evidence, lied under oath, issued false reports and shot unarmed suspects. She's optimistic that can be done.
"If you look at the community members who rely on the police to keep their streets safe ... you'll find there is a great deal of support for officers in Rampart," said York, whose promotion was effective at the beginning of July.
York replaces Deputy Chief Carlo Cudio, who will retire on Saturday.
The command staff is confident she's up to the task.
"Chief York brings a wealth of experience to the position," Cmdr. David Kalish said. "She has worked a number of critical assignments and has earned a reputation as an extremely competent police administrator."
York began her career in 1968, when female officers were relegated to desk jobs or the jails. They were assigned the lowest-level detective work and could rise only to the rank of sergeant -- and even then could only supervise other women.
That changed in 1973. York has held a number of positions since, including detective supervisor, watch commander, captain in charge of a patrol division and chief investigator and commanding officer of internal affairs.
"In talking about the past, I like to also acknowledge the tremendous commitment of women who had no opportunities for advancement," she said. "This was the case when I came on 32 years ago, so I appreciate what those women have done to pioneer and set the events in motion that eventually opened up all the ranks to women."
York has a bachelor's degree in management from the University of Redlands, a master's in public administration from the University of Southern California and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy.
Ito, who remains a part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court bench, said he was proud of his wife.
"We thank Chief Parks for his vote of confidence," Ito said. "This is a big step for the Los Angeles Police Department and women in law enforcement."