LAFD Chief Douglas Barry announces his retirement. Barry will leave the department at the end of August.
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From the AP:
Douglas Barry, the city’s first black fire chief, said Thursday he will retire at the end of August.
Barry was chosen by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to lead the Fire Department in 2007 after his predecessor was forced to retire amid claims that he had been unable to eradicate a culture of discrimination, hazing and sexism.
“I feel strongly that the objectives that I had set for leading the department through that very difficult time have been accomplished, that the department is on a strong, positive course toward the future,” Barry said.
The chief said there was no controversy connected to his retirement.
Barry took over the department amid lawsuits claiming harassment or discrimination against women and minorities. One case involved a black firefighter who claimed co-workers served him spaghetti laced with dog food.
Villaraigosa said Barry led the department with integrity and noted his leadership during several wildfires and last year’s collision of a Metrolink commuter train and a freight train that killed 25 people and injured more than 130.
“At a moment of great challenge for our firefighters, he proved to be the right man at the right time to reform the department and cultivate a culture of respect, tolerance and mutual understanding in our fire houses,” Villaraigosa said.
