Luis Alberto Moore

Luis Alberto Moore Perea (Born September 1, 1959 in Bogotá, Colombia) is a General of the Colombian National Police. On December 7, 2006 became the first Afro-Colombian to reach the grade of Brigadier General in the Colombian National Police [http://www.semana.com/wf_InfoArticulo.aspx?idArt=98808 "Luis Alberto Moore hace historia al ser el primer general negro de Colombia"] . "Revista Semana" www.semana.com - Accessed December 8, 2006] and assummed command of the Cali Police Department. [ [http://www.elcolombiano.com.co/BancoConocimiento/M/moore_primer_general_negro_en_la_historia_de_colombia/moore_primer_general_negro_en_la_historia_de_colombia.asp?CodSeccion=35 "Moore, primer general negro en la historia de Colombia"] . "El Colombiano" www.elcolombiano.com.co - Accessed December 8, 2006]

Early years

Before becoming a policeman, Moore studied medicine in the Pontifical Xavierian University and dropped out after a friend convinced him to join the National Police.

National Police service

In 1975, when he was 17 years old, and without telling his parents, Moore entered the General Santander National Police Academy. By 1977 Moore graduated with the rank of Sub-Lieutenant and was assigned to posts in the Departments of Tolima and Caldas. In 1981 Moore was the first Afro-Colombian to train to become a Mi-17 helicopter pilot in the National Police Aviation, also attending courses in Russia. He graduated and received many condecorations for achievements being the most important the one he received for his actions during the Palace of Justice siege in November 1985 when 19th of April Movement guerrillas stormed this government building. He piloted a helicopter that dropped off Special Operations Commandoes on the roof of the building. He also supported air rescue operations piloting a helicopter during the Armero tragedy and numerous combat operations in counter insurgency against other guerrilla groups; the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN).

In the 1980s the United States and Colombia started the War on Drugs in which Moore participated in numerous illicit crops eradication operations. He later became a helicopter instructor in the General Santander Police Academy.

In the year 2000 Moore became the first Afro-Colombian to ascend to the rank of Colonel in the history of the National Police and reassigned to the Metropolitan Police of Bogotá. He was later transferred to the Cundinamarca Police Department. Before becoming General, Moore worked in the Colombian Embassy to the United Kingdom in London, he returned to Colombia to assumme command of the Cali Police Department. This city currently suffers a wave of violence. [ [http://www.diariooccidente.com.co/publicaciones.php?id=30145&nexuraSID=e00c4ae031785aae6a3e53bbc917679f No cesa ola de violencia] . "Diario de Occidente" www.diariodeoccidente.com.co - Accessed December 8, 2006]

Personal life

Moore is son of José Tomás Moore, a mathematician from the city of Santa Marta and his mother, former governor of the Chocó Department and lawyer Dorila Perea. He has three brothers Jhon (lawyer), José (Medic) and Fernando (odontologist). He is married to Graciela de Moore with whom he has three children.

References