LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca promoted Timothy Murakami, a 33-year veteran of the department, to the rank of captain, a statement issued by the department said. Murakami was assigned to the Industry Sheriff’s Station.

Murakami’s career with the department began in 1979. After graduating from the Sheriff’s Training Academy as a deputy sheriff, he was assigned to Men’s Central Jail, East Los Angeles Station and personnel administration in the recruitment and pre-employment investigation units.
Upon his promotion to sergeant in 1992, Murakami was assigned to the Sybil Brand Institute for Women, pre-employment investigation unit and Industry Station.

As a sergeant, he assisted in the formation of the Asian Crime Task Force, which investigated Asian gangs and organized crime.

Murakami was promoted to lieutenant in 2000 and assigned to Industry Station, Cerritos Station and Temple Station where he served as the Rosemead lieutenant and soon became the chief of police who was responsible for all city public safety services, including code enforcement and animal control.

The model “blended department and city services under a unified command, which resulted in major crime reductions and improved quality of life for residents,” the statement said.

Murakami holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from California State University, Los Angeles, with honors at entrance and membership in Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.

He is a board member of the Women’s Care Center, a nonprofit crisis pregnancy center, and serves at the Fred Jordan Mission in downtown Los Angeles.

Murakami and his wife Norma are residents of San Bernardino County. They have four children and six grandchildren. In his spare time Murakami enjoys training, personal fitness and serving the community.