LOS ANGELES — As Los Angeles prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games, the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association (LAAPOA) — representing rank‑and‑file personnel and Airport Police Command Officers — stands united in calling on Mayor Karen Bass to remove Chief of Airport Police Cecil W. Rhambo Jr. and bring in new leadership. Both police unions believe that morale at the Los Angeles Airport Police Division (LAXPD) has plummeted, staffing has reached crisis levels and existing leadership has not been engaged or responsive.
MIA During Crisis
As LAX and Chief Rhambo’s police department were dealing with the uncertain aftermath of COVID and the impact George Floyd had on policing in multicultural Los Angeles, he abandoned his Department.
Rhambo took a leave of absence a year into his short tenure as the chief of LAXPD to run for Los Angeles County sheriff. Not only did Rhambo pursue his personal political ambitions during a time when LAXPD needed strong leadership, but he also made anti‑police rhetoric a cornerstone of his campaign.
In a 2022 LAAPOA press release, the union noted that the chief was physically absent “for the better part of [the] year (and mentally for much longer).” Ultimately, Rhambo finished a distant fourth in the L.A. County sheriff’s primary.
Upon his return to LAX, Rhambo’s message was not one of unification or ingratiation; instead, he reminded a high‑ranking officer that he is “management” and that advocating for rank‑and‑file officers was “the union’s job” (not his). Rhambo’s political detour left the Department without leadership during a prolonged period of historic challenge. Since his reentry, Rhambo has not tried to hide his lack of focus, interest and enthusiasm for his position. That, coupled with his continued absenteeism, places this agency in a vulnerable position as Los Angeles prepares for the world stage and LAX for all the travelers it will welcome and potential threats they may bring with them.
Staffing Crisis and Low Morale
Airport police staffing levels have fallen substantially — LAXPD is dangerously understaffed under Chief Rhambo’s command. In May 2023, LAAPOA reportedthat LAXPD had its “lowest sworn staffing in the past 15 years.” Sadly, that number has decreased to 20 years. In 2025, the numbers continue to decline despite repeated overtures from LAAPOA on ways to address new hiring while the airport continues its $15 billion expansion plan and prepares for the World Cup and Olympics.
Low morale has been compounded by Chief Rhambo and LAWA management decisions. A pilot program that offered highly rank-and-file supported condensed work week schedules to boost morale was canceled by Rhambo and LAWA “C-suite executives.”
Technical payroll processing errors continue to befall many officers who are paid late or inaccurately for overtime. Hundreds of officers are still waiting to receive their 2023 contractual pay raises.
It’s Time for a Change
“No one wanted Chief Rhambo to succeed more than I did,” LAAPOA President Marshall McClain says. “Never have we needed a strong leader more than we do now, and unfortunately, we do not have one in our chief.LAX cannot shake the COVID slump while San Francisco, San Diego and even Ontario airports are experiencing exponential increases in passengers. FIFA and the Olympics will change that. They will come. But, will we be ready? I know my officers individually are. But just like we saw with the tragedy of the fires in Los Angeles, will leadership, management and the necessary infrastructure be there to back us up? If you ask me right now, the answer is no. You heard it here, and you will hear it until we get changes and are on the right track. The first action is to get a new chief. It won’t matter the day after a catastrophe that ‘no one saw coming’ — except we all see it and we must speak up. Let’s do the right thing now. It starts with a better chief. We should not have to make it happen like this.”