LOS ANGELES – Jackie Lacey was sworn in as Los Angeles County’s 42nd District Attorney Monday at the Galen Center on the University of Southern California campus. She is the first woman and first African-American to serve as Los Angeles County District Attorney since the office was created in 1850.
Outgoing District Attorney Steve Cooley administered the Oath of Office. Former District Attorney John Van de Kamp presented Lacey with her District Attorney badge. He was joined in the presentation by three of the four other living District Attorneys – Cooley, Gil Garcetti and Robert Philibosian.
“I am committed to making the best decisions possible, putting the best people in place to carry out our mission and never forgetting that I work for you,” Lacey told the crowd of more than 1,200 guests. “Together, we will make the neighborhoods of Los Angeles County safer. We will seek justice with passion and determination.”
U.S. Attorney André Birotte Jr. of the Central District of California served as master of ceremonies. Lee Smalley Edmon, the first woman presiding judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, gave the commendation.
Lacey grew up in the Crenshaw District, graduated from Dorsey High School, the University of California, Irvine, and the University of Southern California Law Center. She joined the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in 1986 and worked her way up through the ranks from front-line prosecutor to the elected District Attorney.
As District Attorney, Lacey will oversee the largest local prosecutorial office in the nation, with nearly 1,000 attorneys, 300 peace officers and 800 support staff members.
She was elected to a four-year term of office.
(Information via press release from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.)
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