Capt. Sonia Monico, a 22-year law enforcement veteran, has been selected as the new commanding officer for the Los Angeles Police Department’s Wilshire Division.

Monico will succeed Capt. Shannon Paulson, who is being promoted to the rank of commander and will serve as assistant commanding officer of the LAPD’s Counter-Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau. The anticipated date for the transition is Aug. 1.

Monico and Paulson were not available for comment before press time. According to her biography on the LAPD’s website, Monico was born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles. She joined the department in 1993 and has served in many assignments during her career, including patrol officer, patrol supervisor, watch commander and lieutenant. She formerly served as an aide to a commander in the LAPD’s Operations-Valley Bureau and adjutant for Deputy Chief Regina Scott in Operations Central Bureau.

After being promoted to the rank of captain in 2019, Monico served as patrol captain for the Hollenbeck Division. Since October, she has been assigned as commanding officer of the LAPD’s Central Traffic Division.

Other changes at the station include a promotion for the current patrol commanding officer, Capt. Al Mendoza, who will become commanding officer of the LAPD’s Central Traffic Division. Mendoza will be succeeded by newly promoted Capt. Anthony Otero.

Paulson said previously that she plans to continue focusing on the community during her time remaining at the Wilshire Division. Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, 5th District, added that the division will remain in good hands.

“I am so proud that Capt. Shannon Paulson is receiving a well-deserved promotion from her role as captain to commander. While it is bittersweet to lose her as an invaluable protector of our community, we are so thrilled for her and we are also looking forward to working with our new incoming Capt. Sonya Monico,” Koretz said in a statement. “We understand that there will be ample transition time and from past experiences at Wilshire Division, the transitions have been seamless. The continuity of operations will be in very capable hands with Capt. Monico. We look forward to a continued bright future at the Wilshire Division.”