From law enforcer to lawmaker

Jet, April 7, 2003

FROM LAW ENFORCER TO LAWMAKER: Former Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard C. Parks (r) is sworn in as a member of the L.A. City Council representing the Eighth District by Superior Court Judge Candace Cooper. Participating in the ceremony held in Leimert Park were (l-r) Rev. Frederick O. Murph, family friend Helen Mars, Parks' daughter Felicia, mother Gertrude, wife Bobbie and daughters Michelle and Trudy.

Parks, 59, a 37-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, served as chief from 1997 until 2002. He was the city's second Black police chief, succeeding Willie Williams. A Beaumont, TX, native, Parks earned a bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Southern California. Parks' election is seen as a victory by those angered when L.A. Mayor James Hahn refused to re-appoint him to another five-year term as chief.