The Los Angeles Airport Police Department (LAXPD) is in turmoil as Chief Cecil W. Rhambo Jr. faces mounting backlash from within his own ranks. The Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association (LAAPOA) has issued a sharp rebuke of Rhambo’s leadership, publicly calling for his replacement amid growing reports of operational dysfunction, plummeting morale, and allegations of erratic behavior that insiders describe as both behavioral and cognitive decline.
Leadership Breakdown
Rhambo, who previously ran for Los Angeles County Sheriff in 2022 before abruptly dropping out when his ties to deputy gangs forced candidate Matt Rodriguez to send LA Democratic Party officials an email exposing what they were likely already aware of about their chosen candidate shady history at LASD:
“Cecil Rhambo was third in command during the most corrupt regime in the history of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Both of his bosses, Lee Baca and his best friend, Paul Tanaka went to federal prison. Cecil Rhambo failed them. He has now recast himself as an outsider, who is best prepared to solve the internal problems plaguing the Sheriff’s Department. There is no bigger insider in this race than Cecil Rhambo. He was the Assistant Sheriff in charge of the Custody Division while inmates were being brutalized. A preferred tactic was to shatter the inmate’s eye sockets with flashlights. Cecil failed to quell the violence, hence the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) need to infiltrate the jails to expose a pattern and practice of violence and brutality. Our federal partners did not trust Rhambo enough to notify him of their intentions. Ultimately, ten deputies were sentenced to federal prison. Cecil Rhambo failed them too. Although he claims to have been a whistleblower, I have yet to see one shred of evidence that shows he notified the Department of Justice (DOJ), or FBI, that his bosses and subordinates were corrupt. It wasn’t until the FBI was knocking on his door that he testified about his observations.”
has become a lightning rod for controversy once again. According to union officials, his tenure as Chief of Airport Police has been marked by a toxic management style, increasing hostility toward his command staff, and deepening resentment among rank-and-file officers.
In recent weeks, LAAPOA’s social media platforms have amplified the unrest, drawing parallels between Rhambo’s demeanor and that of former Congresswoman Katie Porter – who was criticized for “aggressive behavior” toward her staff. “LAX has its own version of Porter in LAXPD Chief Cecil Rhambo,” the union wrote, accusing him of exhibiting the same volatile temperament and disregard for subordinates.
Operational Collapse
Sources within the department paint a dire picture of day-to-day operations. Equipment is breaking down, patrol vehicles are in disrepair, and staffing levels have reached a breaking point. Officers say they are struggling to keep pace with passenger volumes that continue to rise post-pandemic, let alone prepare for the influx expected during the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games.
“Understaffing has reached crisis levels,” said one union source. “We’re barely holding the line as it is. If the city doesn’t act soon, the world will see how unprepared LAX really is.”
Despite these warnings, Mayor Karen Bass—who oversees Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), the city agency that manages LAX—has reportedly failed to address the department’s pleas for support. “The mayor is aware of the deteriorating conditions,” said a senior officer familiar with internal communications. “But every request for resources gets buried in bureaucracy. It’s like shouting into a void.”
Fiscal Priorities and Public Safety
Union leaders argue that while executive pay has ballooned, front-line officers are left to shoulder the burden with minimal resources. LAAPOA noted that morale and recruitment are at all-time lows even as top administrators enjoy salary hikes. Meanwhile, passenger satisfaction scores have dropped, and incidents requiring police response are rising.
“Rhambo’s leadership is not only ineffective—it’s dangerous,” said one veteran officer. “When the Olympics arrive, the global spotlight will expose just how broken things are behind the scenes.”
The Road to 2028
With the World Cup less than a year away and the Olympics looming, the stakes for Los Angeles couldn’t be higher. LAX, one of the busiest airports in the world, serves as a critical gateway for millions of travelers. Yet insiders warn that under the current leadership, the department is “operationally fragile” and “psychologically fractured.”
As pressure mounts, LAAPOA’s “no confidence” campaign has gained traction, signaling an open revolt within the ranks. Their message is clear: replace Rhambo before disaster strikes.
Whether City Hall will heed the warning remains to be seen. But one thing is certain—if LAWA and the Mayor’s office continue to ignore the growing cracks in airport security, the consequences could extend far beyond political embarrassment.
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