Incoming Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said this week a 28-year department veteran will serve as his interim undersheriff, becoming the first woman to hold the position in the history of the sheriff’s department.
April Tardy currently serves as chief of the department’s Central Patrol Division.
Luna also announced that Jason Skeen, currently the commander of Personnel Command, will serve as his interim chief of staff. Skeen is also a 28-year department veteran.
“Both of these talented and experienced law enforcement leaders share my vision of a sheriff’s department that is effective, compassionate and constitutional, and I look forward to serving with them starting on Dec. 5,” Luna said in a statement.
As undersheriff, Tardy will be the department’s second-in-command.
“I’m honored that Sheriff-elect Luna has confidence in me to serve as undersheriff of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department,’’ Tardy said in a statement.
“Sheriff-elect Luna will lead this department in a new direction, and as undersheriff, I’m eager to help him improve public safety and public trust in this department. I’ve dedicated my career to making our communities safer and serving with integrity, and I’m very proud to serve as the highest-ranking woman in the history of the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.’’
Skeen, meanwhile, will manage the sheriff’s executive office and serve as a senior adviser.
