Bernard C. Parks

Bernard C. Parks (born December 7, 1943) is an American politician, who served as a member of the Los Angeles City Council, representing the 8th district in South Los Angeles from 2003 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, Parks served as Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department from August 1997 to May 2002.

Bernard C. Parks
Parks in 2010
Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department
In office
August 12, 1997 – May 4, 2002
Preceded byWillie L. Williams
Succeeded byWilliam Bratton
Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 8th district
In office
July 1, 2003 – July 1, 2015
Preceded byMark Ridley-Thomas
Succeeded byMarqueece Harris-Dawson
Personal details
Born (1943-12-07) December 7, 1943
Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseBobbie Parks
Residence(s)Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma materPepperdine University
University of Southern California
OccupationPolice officer (LAPD)
Websitewww.bernardparks.com
Police career
Country United States
Department Los Angeles Police Department
Service years1964–2002
RankSworn in as an Officer – 1964
Sergeant – 1969
Lieutenant – 1973
Captain – 1977
Commander – 1980
Deputy Chief – 1988
Asst. Chief – 1992
Deputy Chief – 1994
Chief of Police – 1997

Early life and education

Parks is a graduate of Daniel Murphy High School and attended Los Angeles City College and received a bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University. He earned a Master's Degree in public administration from the University of Southern California.

Career

During his tenure, the LAPD was rocked by a corruption and police brutality scandal involving the elite C.R.A.S.H. anti-gang unit of the Rampart Division in the overwhelmingly Latino Pico-Union and Westlake districts. The Police Commission, under Commission President Rick J. Caruso did not recommend Parks for reappointment as police chief. Parks was succeeded as chief by William Bratton.[1]

In 2003, Parks won the seat on the Los Angeles City Council for Council District 8 representing South Los Angeles. He also unsuccessfully ran for the post of mayor in the 2005 elections, coming fourth in the primary. In 2008, Parks unsuccessfully sought to succeed Yvonne Brathwaite Burke on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, losing to Mark Ridley-Thomas in a runoff election. Term limits forced Parks out of the city council office in 2015. Marqueece Harris-Dawson won the District 8 election for the vacant seat, and replaced Parks on 1 July 2015.[2]

References
  1. Bratton, William. "The LAPD: Chief Bratton". Official Site of The LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT.
  2. LA Times: "Marqueece Harris-Dawson takes office as councilman of L.A.'s 8th District", 1 July 2015.
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