James Voge is a retired Commander from the Los Angeles Police Department. He was last assigned as the Commanding Officer of Internal Affairs Group in 2007. He has been in law enforcement for 34 years and has worked a variety of assignments including patrol and detective operations, along with undercover assignments.
In 2004, then Captain Voge was tasked by Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton to develop the finest detective division anywhere to investigative lethal force incidents by police officers. This division would be responsible for the criminal and administrative investigation into these sensitive incidents. After months of research throughout the United States, Captain Voge created Force Investigation Division. During its first two years, Force Investigation Division investigated approximately 260 incidents including two major controversial shootings. The first of these shootings involved the shooting of a 13-year-old car theft suspect, Devon Brown. The second incident involved the shooting of a 17-month Suzy Pena. Although these Officer-Involved Shootings were controversial in nature, all parties noted the exceptional quality and thoroughness of these investigations. In the past, there existed community skepticism regarding the objectivity of Officer-Involved Shooting investigations. However, the transparency and quality of Force Investigation Division’s procedures and work product satisfied community concerns.
Commander Voge has taught Officer-Involved Shootings at the 2005 International Association of Chiefs of Police and has lectured nationally and in Northern Ireland. Commander Voge has also consulted with many police agencies nationally and internationally on the subject.
Commander Voge holds a B.S. in Public Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills and a M.S. in Criminal Justice form California State University Los Angeles. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.