Dialogues

Twice a Citizen: Bill and Karla Ahmanson on Serving in the LAPD Reserve Corps

June 24, 2025

Ken Choi, Dominic Ng, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell,
Bill Ahmanson and Karla Ahmanson at the Twice a Citizen 2025 gala.
(Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation.)

In a city as dynamic as Los Angeles, public service often unfolds quietly—without headlines or fanfare. Some professionals, after long days in leadership roles, choose to give even more by supporting or serving in the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Reserve Corps.

This Reach Further Dialogue brings together three individuals who embody that spirit of commitment. Ken Choi (East West Bank Managing Director and LAPD Reserve Officer) speaks with Bill Ahmanson (President, The Ahmanson Foundation, LAPD Reserve Officer and retired banking executive) and Karla Ahmanson (Co-President, Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation) as they share what drives their service.

Their conversation explores the challenges and rewards of volunteering, the Reserve Corps' evolving mission and the resilience required to support those who serve. It also honors Dominic Ng, Chairman and CEO of East West Bank, who was recently recognized with the Foundation’s “Twice a Citizen” award for his civic leadership.

Together, their stories remind us that meaningful service often takes place far from the spotlight—but its impact endures.

Ken Choi: You’ve both been involved with the Reserve Corps for years—Bill as an officer and Karla through your work with the Foundation. What initially inspired you to step into those roles, and how has that commitment changed your perspective on Los Angeles?

Bill Ahmanson: When I was a real estate appraiser at what was then Home Savings of America, I learned about the program. Being in my early 20s, the training and stories from the street were intriguing. In the mid-1980s, the city of Los Angeles faced significant drug and street gang problems. I felt I could help serve and protect my city, much like those who volunteer to serve in the military to protect the interests of the United States.

Karla Ahmanson: Bill joined the Corps in 1986, well before he met me. I was inspired by him. Little did I know his passion would become mine! By becoming involved with LAPD, I gained an immense amount of respect for police officers and all those involved with law enforcement.

Ken Choi: “Twice a Citizen” is a powerful phrase. For those who may not be familiar, what does it mean to you—and how does that identity play out in your day-to-day life?

Bill Ahmanson: “Twice a Citizen” acknowledges Reserve Officers who have regular civilian lives and have made the commitment to serve in a hazardous profession without similar financial compensation to full-time officers. Daily, I use some of the skills taught in the academy such as observation, concise writing and the importance of physical health.

Karla Ahmanson: The phrase “Twice a Citizen” is often attributed to Winston Churchill. He used it to describe reservists—those who live with one foot in civilian life and the other in military service. That dual identity still resonates today with our LAPD Reserve Corps.

Karla Ahmanson (left) and Jim McDonnell (right) present Dominic Ng (center) with the Twice a Citizen award.
(Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation.)

For me, it means balancing many roles. I’m first a wife and a mother, then the president of the Foundation along with other community commitments. It’s a layered life, full of purpose and service in different forms. I was especially moved by Dominic’s comment when he received the award: “I may be twice a citizen, but she (referring to me) is three times a lady!” It’s a reminder that service takes many shapes, and sometimes, it’s the quiet strength behind the scenes that carries the most weight.

Ken Choi: Bill, you spent years in banking before becoming a Reserve Officer. What drew you to law enforcement, and what have you learned from living in both worlds?

Bill Ahmanson: Stories from a co-worker and the excitement of being a Reserve Officer drew me to the profession. A sense of being called to service was also a strong motivator. Living in both worlds, I have a deeper appreciation for the blessings in my life and empathy for those victimized by crime. I have also learned that full-time officers benefit from the knowledge and experience that Reserve Officers bring. In a way, our roles as private citizens add an extra layer of expertise to law enforcement.

Ken Choi: Karla, you’ve been open about how challenging it can be to support someone who runs toward danger. What have those experiences taught you about fear, resilience and community?

Karla Ahmanson: Yes, I’ve been open about how hard it can be to support Bill, especially when every instinct in me wants to protect him! When he is working regular patrol shifts, I remind myself that the odds of something life-threatening are low. But when he’s deployed on a tactical alert, like during recent protests, it’s a different story. It’s hard to sleep. Texts go unanswered. Those are moments when fear is very real.

But over time, I have learned that fear and courage can coexist. Supporting someone in that role has shown me what real resilience looks like—not the absence of fear, but the decision to keep showing up, to keep loving, and to keep believing in the work, despite it.

Ken Choi and Bill Ahmanson on duty.
(Photo courtesy of Karla Ahmanson.)

Ken Choi: Bill, you once balanced a leadership role in banking with service as a Reserve Officer something I’m navigating now. How has your reserve experience shaped your perspective?

Bill Ahmanson: I retired from banking in 2006. When I was a corporate officer, the flexibility of the reserve program gave balance to my executive work. Reserves choose the shifts and assignments they work, which can accommodate nearly every hectic schedule. Today, as President of The Ahmanson Foundation, knowledge gained as a Reserve Officer provides information on what is actually happening and the causes of important areas like homelessness. Ultimately both professions gained from a perspective seen in the streets, rather than from a desk.

Ken Choi: Many Reserve Officers juggle full-time jobs and families. What kinds of personal qualities, or support systems, make it possible to serve in this way?

Bill Ahmanson: There is no more important support system than family to juggle the LAPD and life. Making time for the Academy, which is outside of work hours, may seem like the greatest challenge. It is not. My professional life was never more productive and efficient than when I was in the Academy. The schedule is structured, which firmed up my professional calendar to accommodate.

Karla and Bill Ahmanson.
(Photo courtesy of Karla Ahmanson.)

Karla Ahmanson: I think serving as an LAPD Reserve Officer requires a unique combination of personal qualities and strong support systems. First, you need a deep sense of commitment—to your city, to public safety, and to something larger than yourself. It takes integrity, resilience and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

You also need flexibility and humility. Reserves often come from successful civilian careers, but when they put on the uniform, they’re part of a team where rank and experience matter differently. That shift requires respect and willingness to learn, constantly.

Equally important is a solid support system. No one does this alone. Whether it’s a spouse, family, friends or a tight-knit group of fellow Reserve Officers, you need people who understand the mission, the time commitment and the risks.

And lastly, you need heart. Reserve Officers give up weekends, holidays and vacation time—not for pay or recognition—but because they believe in the mission.

Ken Choi: For someone who’s never considered this path before, what would you want them to understand about what they might gain—beyond the uniform?

Bill Ahmanson: Being an LAPD Reserve Officer offers the opportunity to give back or “pay it forward” to your city. The experiences gained and the friends you make would not be possible without this second career. As a Reserve Officer, you will be able to choose what you want your role to be, everything from patrol to detectives to other specialized units. One of my classmates retired from Sony and is now working as a detective solving cases!

Karla Ahmanson: I would want them to know that the rewards go far beyond wearing the uniform. You gain skills—real-world training, leadership and discipline—but what you really walk away with is a deeper connection to your community. You see people at their most vulnerable, and you learn what service truly means. You develop a quiet confidence, knowing you stepped into moments most people would run from. You also gain perspective. Things that once felt big, suddenly feel small. You become more grounded, more aware and more grateful.

And most powerfully, you become part of a family. The camaraderie, the trust, the shared mission, those bonds are unlike anything else. They stay with you long after the shift ends.

It’s not about glory or authority. It’s about impact, purpose and the kind of growth that can only come from giving of yourself in a meaningful way.

Ken Choi: Looking ahead, what gives you hope about the future of civic service—and what do you want the next generation to take away from your journey?

Bill Ahmanson: It is easy to complain about the state of affairs in the city of Los Angeles. For the next generation, it is time to migrate from complaints to becoming part of the solution. Consider becoming a Reserve Officer and helping people on the worst days of their lives.

Karla Ahmanson: Looking ahead, what gives me hope is that despite all the noise and division, there are still so many people—especially young people—who care deeply about making a difference. I see it in the way they show up for causes they believe in. I think there is a quiet but growing movement back toward service.

What I want the next generation to take from my journey is this: Civic purpose doesn’t require a title, money or even a uniform. It starts with showing up. Volunteering consistently, thoughtfully and with integrity. Whether you’re wearing a badge, raising a family, leading a nonprofit, cleaning up the beach or helping a neighbor, you have the power to help shape your community.

I’ve learned that you don’t have to be fearless; you just have to be willing. Willing to stand up, to serve, to care. That willingness, multiplied across a generation, is what will carry us forward.

To learn more about becoming an LAPD Reserve Officer or supporting the Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation:

Visit Los Angeles Police Reserve Foundation