Deputy Executive Director
Patrick M. Gannon

Patrick M. Gannon, Deputy Executive Director (DED) of Security and Public Safety for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), began his service with the organization in November 2012 as Chief of Airport Police following 34 years of service with the Los Angeles Police Department.

As Deputy Executive Director, Gannon is responsible for airport security, including policing, counterterrorism efforts, and other emergency response functions for LAWA’s three airports. He provides leadership, management oversight, and policy direction to all law enforcement and security staff; coordinates with other Law Enforcement Agencies; and oversees firefighting, emergency medical, and fire prevention services provided by the Los Angeles Fire Department at LAX. Gannon serves as the primary law enforcement and homeland security liaison for numerous federal agencies with jurisdiction at LAWA’s two airports.

DED Gannon’s work involves a broad array of management responsibilities, including the development of security policies and strategies, compliance with federal security regulations, implementing security technologies, and overseeing over 1,100 sworn and civilian employees of the LAWA’s Airport Police Division.

Professional Experience

Director Gannon retired from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 2012 after 34 years of service, 12 years of which were at the executive management level. At the time of his retirement, he was serving as Deputy Chief at LAPD’s Operations-South Bureau. The bureau, with 1,700 sworn officers and 150 civilian employments, served 800,000 residents from South Los Angeles to Wilmington and San Pedro. In this assignment, Director Gannon was responsible for overseeing all law enforcement services provided by four community police stations, a traffic division, and a homicide division.

Education

Director Gannon graduated from California State University, Dominguez Hills with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, and from the University of Southern California with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He has also successfully completed the Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston and the West Point Leadership Program.