Todd Rogers launched his official run for LA County sheriff to a crowd of about 100 people at a community center in Carson on Saturday, saying he'd run a positive campaign and refrain from the games of politics.
"I am up for this task," he said in a 15 minute speech to supporters, pointing to his long history in law enforcement. Rogers is a 29-year veteran of the sheriff's department - for six years he served as captain of the Carson Sheriff's Station.
Rogers criticized those who've called for a candidate from outside of the LA Sheriff's Department saying, "reform at the department has already started." He said the learning curve for an outsider to take over the job would be immense, something he won't struggle with.
Thursday marked retiring Sheriff Lee Baca's last day in office. John Scott, the undersheriff in Orange County, is taking over as interim Los Angeles County Sheriff. Scott was selected by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
Nine declared candidates are running for sheriff in the June primary. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, then the top two candidates will enter a runoff in November. Scott has said he will not run.
On his campaign website, Rogers characterized himself as a candidate who will bring changes to the sheriff's office.
"[B]ad apples were given too much authority. They were not qualified and they seriously abused that authority. That is unacceptable and I will bring reforms," he wrote in a statement on the website's homepage.
Rogers announced his intent to run shortly after Baca announced he was retiring. Rogers was one of two deputies named by Baca as a potential "highly qualified" successor.
Rogers was appointed to assistant sheriff for LA County in March 2013. He is based in Lakewood where he is currently Vice-Mayor. The assistant sheriff previously served two terms as mayor for the city of 80,000 located north of Long Beach.
So far, according to Rogers, he's raised about $35,000. He said he has a lot more to raise and plans to be competitive in the primary.