The nation's largest school police force is set to have a new chief beginning next year: Steven K. Zipperman, a 31-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department.

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Ramon Cortines announced Zipperman's appointment on Monday.

The Los Angeles School Police Department patrols LAUSD property. With 340 sworn officers, it's the fifth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County.

Zipperman has been commanding officer of LAPD's Southwest Area Community Police Station since February 2009. Before that, he was commanding officer of the West Valley Division.

The LAPD announced Monday that Zipperman would take his final patrol shift Wednesday with his son Chad Zipperman, an officer in the North Hills-based Mission Division.