Bratton to seek a second term as L.A. police chief

Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton filed papers Monday to seek a second five-year term as chief, saying he looks forward to building on work that has seen a reduction in crime for every year he has held the post.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as Los Angeles’ chief of police,” Bratton said in a statement. “While we have accomplished a great deal, there is still more to do. I want to continue to lead that effort over the next five years.”

By filing papers with the Police Commission formally requesting another term, Bratton started in motion a six-month process that will have the panel evaluate his performance and decide whether to give him a second term. His first one ends Oct. 24.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who appoints the commission, endorsed giving the chief another term in January, and repeated that support Monday.

“I believe Bill Bratton is the finest police chief in America -- and we have the numbers to prove it,” Villaraigosa said in a statement. “While crime is on the rise across the country, it continues to drop in Los Angeles. I enthusiastically support the chief.”

Bratton’s term has not been without controversy. The department is investigating a handful of police abuse cases, including two captured on video cameras. Gang crime was up 15.7% last year. The Times reported last year that Bratton had spent one-third of 2005 out of the city on trips to cities including New York, London and Boston. And a group of five City Council members filed a formal complaint last year alleging that Bratton had been rude and unprofessional in his treatment of them.

Still, the president and vice president of the Police Commission recently said they would give the chief another term if the vote was today.

Vice President Alan Skobin said Monday that the panel would undertake a serious review of the chief’s performance before reaching a final decision.

Despite the Police Commission’s statements in the last year that it supports transparency, commissioners and Executive Director Richard Tefank refused Monday to provide The Times with a copy of the chief’s letter seeking a second term.

The chief’s statement said that by transmitting his intent Monday, the Police Commission would have time to consider reappointment or choose to open the process to other applicants.

If Bratton is reappointed, he would become the first chief of police to serve a second term since the City Charter was changed in 1992.

Previous police chiefs Bernard C. Parks and Willie Williams each served one term and were not reappointed.

A second term for Bratton was also endorsed Monday by Councilman Jack Weiss, chairman of the council’s Public Safety Committee, who described the chief as a “strong and effective leader” despite a shortage of police resources.

“I support the chief’s decision to seek a second term because fundamentally the LAPD is on the right track,” Weiss said.

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com