Mayor Villaraigosa nominates new fire chief for Los Angeles

If confirmed by the city council, Peaks would replace Douglas Barry, the department's first African American leader, who is retiring.

The department is facing budget cuts and has struggled in recent years with allegations of hazing and racial tensions among firefighters.

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City president Pat McOsker says the nomination was a good step for the mayor.

Peaks supervised the internal investigation of discrimination by firefighter Tennie Pierce who claimed his colleagues slipped dog food into his spaghetti.