LAPD assistant chief, Alfred Labrada placed on leave following stalking accusations

A top Los Angeles Police Department official is accused of stalking as he used a tracking device to monitor the movements of a subordinate with whom he had a romantic relationship, according to a report.

Alfred “Al” Labrada, assistant chief of the LAPD, was put on administrative leave Tuesday over the allegations, Chief of Police Michael Moore announced to the LAPD Board of Commissioners Tuesday, the LA Times reported.

Labrada allegedly placed an Apple AirTag inside the unidentified officer’s belongings and linked the device to his city-issued cellphone to track the woman’s location.

The officer discovered the device inside a waterproof Pelican box — used to carry electronic gadgets — inside her personal car, according to KTLA.

Officials were able to trace the tag back to Labrada’s city-issued phone.

Shortly after the report was filed on Sept. 7, the LAPD opened an investigation into Labrada and confiscated his cell phone, the outlet reported citing sources.

Moore called the accusations “deeply troubling” as he made his announcement.

“We will continue to cooperate with the outside agency as they continue their investigation, as well as conduct our internal investigation,” Moore said, according to the outlet. “That means consequences should these allegations prove to be true.”

Labrada joined the LAPD as a probationary officer in 1993 after he served six years in the US Marine Corps Reserves.

In 2022, Labrada was promoted to his current role as assistant chief.

He is the director of the Office of Special Operations, in charge of the majority of specialized units where he oversees several bureaus including the Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau, the Detective Bureau and the Transit Services Bureau.

He is one of three assistant police chiefs who report directly to Moore.

During the meeting, Police Board Commission President Erroll Southers said he ordered the inspector general’s office to monitor the LAPD’s investigation to “ensure objectivity, impartiality, going forward.”

When news first broke, Labrada remained in his position before voluntarily taking a weeklong “absence from command” until he was placed on paid leave Tuesday, CBS News reported.

Labrada is fighting the accusations, hiring both a civil and criminal attorney, for when the LAPD releases its findings.

“To our understanding, what occurred today was a standard procedure and nothing further should be read into it, other than that the matter is continuing to be investigated,” his civil attorney, Jeremy Tissot, said in a statement to the newspaper. “We wish to jointly clarify that, in our opinion, what has been reported in the media thus far is false, as to the stalking allegations. The relationship and circumstances have also been mischaracterized.”

Labrada also serves as the LAPD’s Department Liaison for Latino Communities, Immigration Policies, Gang Reduction, Youth Development and is currently overseeing planning efforts for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Labrada’s leave comes during a crime spike in the California city, where violent crime has increased by 8.6% according to a poll in June.

It also comes as two models were found dead in their Los Angeles apartments, days apart.

Nichole Coates and Maleesa Mooney were found to be victims of suspected homicides just two days from each other.