Though disappointed about not being selected to be the next chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, neither Deputy Chief Michel Moore nor First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said they had any immediate plans to seek jobs elsewhere.
"I'm not posting my resume at jobs.com," Moore quipped Tuesday.
McDonnell said he needs to take a deep breath after the intense weeks of interviews to fill the post left by former Chief William Bratton.
But the future is wide open for Moore and McDonnell following Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's selection of Deputy Chief Charlie Beck to lead the LAPD.
The two finalists could retire, resume their positions on the nation's third-largest force or move on to lead other police departments eager for the talent that has helped reduce crime in Los Angeles by record levels.
"I'm a blessed man that I've been able to attain the levels that I have here and the responsibilities," said Moore, who heads the LAPD's Valley Bureau.
"But at the same time, I'm ambitious. I believe I'm ready for greater levels."
McDonnell has also proclaimed his admiration for Los Angeles and the police force serving it.
"My immediate plans are to take a deep breath now that this is over and to get into the job that I do," said McDonnell, a 28-year LAPD veteran.
It's unknown whether McDonnell, 50, who served as the second in command after Bratton promoted him to assistant chief in October 2002, will retain the high-ranking position under Beck.
Beck has the discretion to assemble the close-knit command staff that will serve alongside him during his five-year term as leader of the nearly 10,000-officer department.
City Councilman Dennis Zine, a retired LAPD officer, said Beck will likely promote current LAPD employees to fill his coveted command staff, unlike Bratton who recruited for some of these positions from outside the department.
This could bode well for Moore, who has significant experience covering crime in the San Fernando Valley - a region Beck has not worked in, Zine said.
"He hasn't done any activity in the Valley," Zine said. "I'm sure he would look to Deputy Chief Moore to assist him."
Paul M. Weber, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said Beck has the same opportunity to mold a new team that will give him the successes that Bratton saw.
Weber suspects the command staff appointments will come quickly, so the Police Department doesn't lose momentum.
"I think you'll see some movement in that area sooner than later," Weber said. "The quicker you move to make the teams that need to be made, you keep the department on track and moving forward."
Meanwhile the high-profile selection process for the LAPD chief spot helped highlight some of the department's top command staff across the country. Other police agencies could be eager to pluck Moore or McDonnell from their leadership roles and hire them to serve as leaders of their departments.
"There would be significant interest from across the country," Zine said. "They have that option to pursue it or remain in the department with the Beck administration."
Neither said they are looking for other jobs at the moment.
"I remain committed to the department," Moore said. "It's an honor to serve in the position I'm in today as it's an honor to wear the badge of this great department."
Los Angeles Police Commission member Alan Skobin said it's a temptation that thousands of talented LAPD employees face.
But Skobin believes Moore and McDonnell remain devoted to Los Angeles.
"It's not something I worry about, because I know how dedicated they are to the city," Skobin said. "But any time you have good people, you always have that risk."
Weber said McDonnell's experience as chief of staff could propel him anywhere in the country to serve as chief of police.
But McDonnell said his phone has not been ringing with new job offers, and he's unsure if the calls will come pouring in.
"It's kind of early right now," McDonnell said.
"My heart is with the Los Angeles Police Department. My whole adult life has been serving the community of Los Angeles, and it's my home."
