Los Angeles:  The FBI announced in a press release today that John Miller has accepted the position as the FBI’s Assistant Director for the Office of Public Affairs.

“John has been a phenomenal asset to both the Los Angeles Police Department and the City of Los Angeles,” said LAPD Chief William Bratton.  “John has played a key role in shaping the city and the region’s intelligence gathering and counter terrorism capabilities.  He greatly improved the collaboration between the LAPD and its many Federal, State and local law enforcement counterparts.  I wish him well in his new role at the FBI and know his work there will continue to benefit the LAPD and Los Angeles.”

Chief Bratton recruited Miller to the LAPD to oversee its anti-terrorist operations in January 2003.  Miller served as the bureau chief in charge of LAPD’s Counter-terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau.  Though Miller was hired as a civilian manager, he completed LAPD’s Reserve Police Academy in April 2005, giving him sworn peace officer status as a reserve officer.

“I appreciate the opportunity I was given by Chief William Bratton to create and put into place, his vision for a municipal counter terrorism and intelligence gathering operation,” said Bureau Chief John Miller.  “I am proud to have been a part of the launch of many projects like Operation Archangel, the Joint Regional Intelligence Center and the many investigations that have prevented terrorist attacks in Los Angeles.  I have been honored to serve with the men and women of the Counter-terrorism Bureau.  I have learned so much from them.  I look forward to the new challenges I will soon face in my position with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

No replacement for Miller was immediately announced.  Commander Mark Leap, the assistant commanding officer of the Counter-terrorism and Criminal Intelligence Bureau, will oversee the bureau’s operations until Chief Bratton names a replacement.