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Lacey Sworn In As LA County DA

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The first-ever female and African-American District Attorney in Los Angeles County was sworn in Monday.

KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta reports Jackie Lacey is set to make history as the county's 42nd District Attorney.

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Lacey, who has worked for the D.A.'s office since 1986 and most recently as Chief Deputy District Attorney, beat Deputy District Attorney Alan Jackson in November.

A Los Angeles native and graduate of USC's Gould School of Law, Lacey has prosecuted thousands of crimes and tried about 60 felony cases to jury verdicts, including 11 homicides and the county's first trial of a race-motivated hate crime.

She will be accompanied at the historic swearing-in ceremony on Monday by her five living predecessors - Steve Cooley, Gil Garcetti, Ira Reiner, Robert Philibosian and John Van de Kamp.

Lacey said her top priority is to ensure that Angelenos know she's serious about keeping the county safe.

"What I want the public to feel is that every waking hour - and sometimes at night when I'm asleep - their safety is on my mind," she said.

After working as second-in-command to outgoing D.A. Steve Cooley, Lacey has pledged to be more of a collaborator than Cooley, and hopes to spend more time listening to the community's concerns.

But despite her promises of reform, she has already earned Cooley's confidence and praise as he prepares to step down after four decades.

"She can call me anytime, but I'm stepping away," Cooley said. "I feel I'm leaving the office in very good shape and very good hands."

Lacey was sworn in at USC's Galen Center.

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