For Immediate Release
July 24, 2019
Contact:
Becca Doten
bdoten@lawa.org
(424) 646-5260
(Los Angeles, CA) Today, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) announced that following a nationwide search, Chief of Airport Police David L. Maggard has been named Deputy Executive Director for Law Enforcement and Homeland Security, effective Monday, August 5. 
“The safety and security of our airports and surrounding community is the foundation of all that we do at Los Angeles World Airports,” said Deborah Flint, CEO, LAWA. “As we transform our airports and operate in an ever more complex environment, we need leadership that can anticipate and adapt to innovations and emerging threats in the security landscape. David L. Maggard has the strategic, forward-thinking vision that we need at this critical time for LAX and Van Nuys airports.”
For almost three years, David L. Maggard has served as the Chief of Airport Police, and he will continue to serve in that role, in addition to his role as the new Deputy Executive Director, until his replacement is named. Recruitment for the position of Chief of Police will begin immediately.
“I am grateful to LAWA CEO Deborah Flint and the Board of Airport Commissioners for the opportunity to continue serving at Los Angeles World Airports in this new role during this incredibly exciting time,” said Chief Maggard. “I look forward to collaboratively leading our efforts to keep our airports safe and bring the highest level of public safety service to our passengers and employees.”
As Deputy Executive Director for Law Enforcement and Homeland Security, Chief Maggard will provide leadership management and policy direction to all law enforcement and security staff at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY), coordinate with other law-enforcement agencies, lead counter-terrorism efforts, manage employee badging and oversee firefighting, emergency medical, and fire-prevention services provided by the Los Angeles Fire Department at LAX.
Chief Maggard’s achievements at LAWA have included significant contributions to the development of the upcoming state-of-the-art Airport Police Facility, planning for the security needs and infrastructure protection of the Landside Access Modernization Program, and bringing new technology and innovation to create a more secure airport environment at both LAX and VNY.
He is a Board Member with the Airport Law Enforcement Association Network, a member of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National In-Flight Sexual Misconduct Task Force, Past President of the California Police Chiefs Association, and served as a Governor’s appointee to the Inaugural Board of State and Community Corrections.
Before becoming Chief of Police at LAWA, Chief Maggard served as the Assistant Chief of Police. Previously, he served as the Chief of Police for the City of Irvine. He holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from California State University, Long Beach and a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from UC Berkley and is a doctoral candidate in Organizational Leadership at Pepperdine University.
About Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
LAX, the fourth-busiest airport in the world and second busiest in the United States, was named a top-10 U.S. airport by SKYTRAX. LAX served more than 87.5 million passengers in 2018 and offers an average of 700 daily nonstop flights to 109 cities in the U.S. and 1,281 weekly nonstop flights to 93 markets in 47 countries on 69 commercial airlines. LAX ranks 10th in the world in air cargo tonnage processed, with more than 2.4 million tons of air cargo. LAX handled 707,883 operations (landings and takeoffs) in 2018.
LAX generated 620,600 jobs in Southern California, with labor income of $37.3 billion and economic output (business revenues) of more than $126.6 billion, according to an economic study based on 2014 operations. This activity added $6.2 billion to local and state revenues and $8.7 billion in federal tax revenues. The study also reported that LAX’s ongoing capital improvement program creates an additional 121,640 annual jobs with labor income of $7.6 billion and economic output of $20.3 billion; $966 million in state and local taxes; and $1.6 billion in federal tax revenues.
LAX was honored as having the “Best Overall Customer Service Program” by Airports Council International-North America; named the “Best Airport for Breastfeeding Moms” by Mamava; selected for the Top 10 “Best of the U.S.’s Big Airports” (Wall Street Journal) and “Most Pet-Friendly Airports in the U.S. (Mental Floss); named the second-most improved airport in the U.S. by JD Power; received an “Innovation Award” from the L.A. Better Business Challenge for its Central Utility Plant; and named a “Business Leader in Air Quality” by the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
LAX is also the second-most popular airport in the world to appear on Instagram, according to wego.com. LAX is part of a system of two Southern California airports – along with Van Nuys general aviation – that are owned and operated by Los Angeles World Airports, a proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles that receives no funding from the City’s general fund.
As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. Alternative formats in large print, braille, audio, and other forms (if possible) will be provided upon request.
