Fifth in a series

Re “This Is Closing Day for Azran”

“As far back as I can remember,” said Allen Azran, wading into his first week in retirement, “I was fascinated with police officers.

“I can honestly say, from the age of 5 or 6 years old I was interested. I remember from elementary school, when we had these mock cities and they were handing out jobs, I always wanted to be the police officer.”

The now-former acting assistant police chief, at the end of his 29-year career, recalls being intrigued by the Adam 12 police show on television – but otherwise, he was motivated by what he saw of the LAPD growing up in the Valley in the late ‘60s and ‘70s.

Historically, Jewish families give birth to children who exclusively choose white collar professions.

That is what young Allen was up against as he delicately explained the reactions of his parents.

“My family was definitely concerned. Maybe not supportive initially at the idea.”

Another hurdle challenged young Allen:

“My oldest brother was an attorney. My sister, who also is older than me, is an attorney.

“I hate stereotypes. The family wanted me, my parents, because they saw something in me, and they thought I would be a good attorney.

“They wanted me to go to law school,” said Mr. Azran more than 30 years later.

“They wanted me to pursue that. I had no interest in it because I wanted to be a police officer.”

By this stage, no family member tried to dissuade Mr. Azran from a life in law enforcement – and his story has a sunny ending.

“I do think that once the process began, even when I was in the Police Academy, they were supportive,” said Mr. Azran, 20ish at the time and still living at home.

(To be continued)