Photo Courtesy Lance Ito
On October 28, the Los Angeles Police Department changed the name of the Northeast
Division to the Margaret “Peggy” York Division in honor of the first female who was
appointed deputy chief. When Deputy Chief York joined the LAPD in 1968, the force had
just desegregated its force by race and ethnicity, but female and male officers were still
segregated until years later.
Deputy Chief York passed away at age 80 in 2021, but her glass ceiling legacy lives on.
As the Los Angeles Times reported, “The story of Margaret “Peggy” York’s
groundbreaking career with the Los Angeles Police Department reads like the script for a
TV show. In fact, it was the basis for the hit 1980s show “Cagney & Lacey,” which
depicted one of York’s many firsts as half of a female homicide investigative team.”
LAPD Chief Moore said, “Deputy Chief Margaret ‘Peggy’ York was a consummate
professional. She joined policing at a time when women were faced with seemingly
insurmountable obstacles. As a pioneer, she demonstrated true grit and utilized her talents
to ascend to the highest ranks within the Department. Along the way, she touched many
lives and it was truly an honor to have worked alongside such a humble leader. Her
tenacity and spirit continue to inspire future generations of women joining our ranks.”