Deputy Chief Terry Hara receives Local Heroes Award

May 6, 2025 - As part of its ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Union Bank, and KCET honored Deputy Chief Hara for the Southern Californian Asian Pacific Islanders Local Heroes Award.

The Local Heroes Award recognizes the exemplary leadership and dedication of the recipients to serving their community. Union Bank and KCET created the Local Heroes Awards to help celebrate the national commemorative heritage months for the African American, Latino and Asian Pacific American communities. The awards honor outstanding individuals in the community who strive to enrich the lives of others.

“I am honored by the recognition by KCET and Union Bank,” said Chief Hara. “There are many other worthy individuals that are heroes.  I see a true hero as an individual that cares for the community at large.  It’s an individual that gives of one self.”  

Deputy Chief Terry Hara is the Commanding Officer of Personnel and Training Bureau.  He is responsible for overseeing the training of police recruits and the administration of human resources for the Department.  He is the first Asian American to achieve the rank of Deputy Chief with the Department.  Chief Hara is on the board of directors for the Los Angeles Police Historical Society, was a past president of the Nisei Week Foundation and the Japanese American Optimist Club of Los Angeles, and also serves as a board member for the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, the Japan America Society and the “Go For Broke” National Education Center.

Chief Hara was honored with this award because he gives so much of himself to his Department and community.  In 2006, two other individuals from the Los Angeles Police Department received the Local Heroes Award.  Officer Deon Joseph, Senior Lead Officer for Central Area and Pedro M. Muñiz, Principle Public Relations Representative, Public Information Office.  The award was presented at the KCET studios in Los Angeles.

Comments

[JR]

Hero? Im still waiting for the story of his heroism. What did he do?

[Concerned Person]

Deputy Chief Hara was a humble leader who lead through praise and listened. He was my captain in Southeast Division and was the only captain who listened. He got several officers awards from the City council (i.e. me) for outstanding police efforts. He did something no captain has ever done as far as reopening investigations and seeking the truth. He developed me and if it wasn't for him, as a P-2 I could never had attained the rank of Sgt. He is a community hero, hence hero not to be confused with heroic act (Valor). In a sense every one who puts on their police vest enters a black and white is essentially a hero. So JR, please don't bad mouth DPC Hara.