Matthew Barragan

The Los Angeles Board of Police Commissioners on Feb. 25 appointed Matthew Barragan as inspector general for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Barragan has served as an assistant United States attorney since 2017 and has filed civil actions in the United States District Court to enforce federal civil rights laws. He has pursued civil rights matters under multiple statues including the Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights of Institutionalized Persons Act. Barragan also works closely with leaders in the civil rights community, including advocates for religious, ethnic and racial minority groups.

“I am honored and excited to be appointed as the next inspector general of the Los Angeles Police Department,” Barragan said. “I look forward to working with the department and connecting with community members to increase accountability and trust between Angelenos and their police department.”

Barragan began his legal career with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, working as a staff attorney from 2012-17. In 2017, he joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, serving in the Complex and Defensive Litigation Section from 2017-22 and the Civil Rights Section since 2022.

“Mr. Barragan is a dedicated public servant who brings a breadth of experience representing the people of the Central District in civil rights matters. We are excited to have someone of his caliber join our team and we look forward to his service in this role,” Commission President Dr. Erroll G. Southers said.

Barragan was born and raised in Delano, California. He received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles, and holds a juris doctor degree from UCLA School of Law.