In the Department’s efforts to acknowledge and highlight the immeasurable contributions of women, and to preserve their legacies as important pieces of the Department’s history, LAWPOA President and LAPD Commander Ruby Flores seeks to honor the legacy of a trailblazer and further support the nationwide effort to raise the profile of women and law enforcement by recommending the renaming of the Northeast Community Police Station in honor of the Department’s first female Deputy Chief, Margaret Ann York.
Deputy Chief Margaret Ann York, Serial No. 14095, was born on August 4, 1941, in Canton, Ohio. She was appointed to the department in 1965 as a civilian Radio Telephone Operator (RTO). She worked in this role until April 22, 1968, when she was appointed to a Policewoman. She began her career at a time when women were not allowed to promote beyond the rank of Sergeant and could only work assignments involving juveniles and women.
During her illustrious career, Deputy Chief York achieved the ranks of Investigator, Detective Supervisor, Lieutenant, Captain, and Commander. She was the Commanding Officer of several units, including specialized Detectives and Internal Affairs. On July 30, 2000, she was promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief by then Chief of Police, Bernard Parks, where she commanded Operations Center Bureau until her retirement from the Department on November 17, 2002.
Sadly, Deputy Chief York passed away on Sunday, October 17, 2021. To honor her contributions to the City, Department and women in law enforcement, Commander Flores has requested that the Board of Police Commissioners and the City Council approve the name change of Northeast Community Police Station to the Deputy Chief Margaret Ann York, Northeast Community Police Station.
On March 2, 2022, the Board of Police Commissioners voted unanimously in support of Commander Flores' request and will transmit the report to City Council for their consideration.
See more information from the Los Angeles Daily News article.