Welcome
Former LAPD Officer Carl McGill 1985-2000
1988 PERSON OF THE WEEK
WITH TED KOPPEL | ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT
Welcome
Carl McGill is a former officer with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), where he served with distinction across multiple divisions, including patrol, training, and gang enforcement. Throughout his career, Officer McGill was consistently commended for his unwavering dedication to community safety and his commitment to the principles of community policing. Known among his peers as a hardworking and reliable professional, he prioritized building trust and fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the communities he served. His efforts were instrumental in strengthening ties between the LAPD and the public, earning him recognition for his leadership in community engagement.
Officer McGill was also a prominent advocate for police reform and community activism. In 1988, his innovative anti-street gang initiatives gained national attention, with Newsweek magazine naming him “California’s Future Crime-solver” and ABC World News honoring him as "Person of the Week." He also appeared on major platforms such as The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Geraldo Rivera Show, highlighting his work to address Southern California’s street gang violence. As the founder of the Southern California Gang Awareness Program, Officer McGill devoted his off-duty time to developing solutions that promoted peace and community safety.
In 1992, in the aftermath of the Rodney King incident and the Los Angeles riots, Officer McGill emerged as a key advocate for police reform. As the founder and president of the African American Peace Officers Association (AAPOA), he led efforts to advance equitable practices within law enforcement. Under his leadership, the AAPOA became the only police officer organization in the United States to be formally honored for police reform, receiving a Los Angeles City Council resolution recognizing its contributions to meaningful change in policing practices. Officer McGill’s legacy reflects his enduring commitment to justice, reform, and community empowerment.
Photo Gallery
Peace Officer Activism and Law Enforcement Recruitment
Police Officer Internal Activism