Panel gives Bratton vote of confidence

The Los Angeles Police Commission on Tuesday completed its annual performance evaluation of Police Chief William J. Bratton, concluding his work “exceeds standards” and giving him the maximum pay raise possible -- 5% -- a decision that bodes well for him getting another five-year term next year.

Commission President John Mack said the panel is prohibited by personnel laws from providing details of where the chief has done well and where he might need improvement.

“However, as a commission we believe that Chief Bratton’s overall performance exceeds standards,” Mack announced after a closed-door meeting of the board. “As with any personnel evaluation, there are always areas where an employee excels and there are areas where there is a need to continue to strive to improve one’s performance.”

Mack said the commission also established new performance goals for the chief to meet next year “which will continue to challenge him and the department that he so ably leads.”

The pay raise boosts Bratton’s salary by $13,991 to $293,825 annually, keeping him as one of the highest paid city officials in Los Angeles.

Bratton, 59, who was hired as chief of the LAPD in 2002 after heading the police departments in Boston and New York City, welcomed the vote of confidence.

“I am very gratified by the Police Commission’s evaluation and strong endorsement of my leadership of the LAPD,” the chief said in a statement. “It also reflects the commission’s confidence and recognition of the hard work of the men and women of the LAPD.”

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who appoints the Police Commission, said he concurs with the panel’s determination.

“I believe Bill Bratton is the finest police chief in America, and the results prove it,” Villaraigosa said. “While crime is up across the nation, it continues to drop in Los Angeles.”

The statements of confidence in the chief come at an important time.

Bratton’s first five-year term as chief ends in October and, if he applies for a second five-year term as expected by March, the commission would have to decide whether his performance justifies an extension.

If he is given a second term, he would be the first to be retained since the 1992 redrafting of the City Charter, which gives the commission power to reappoint or reject a second term.

The announcement that he received the highest possible evaluation rating -- “exceeds standards” -- was made a day after the FBI reported that crime was up during the first six months of this year throughout the country, but down in Los Angeles.

Assistant Police Chief Jim McDonnell told the commission that serious crime is down 7.8% in Los Angeles with about two weeks left in the year, which is close to Bratton’s goal of an 8% reduction.

The commission gave high marks to Bratton despite a string of recent controversies in the department, including three videotaped incidents in which officers were alleged to have used excessive force, and a lawsuit by a police sergeant alleging that Bratton’s handpicked former head of the department’s internal affairs department gave preferential treatment -- and helped secure promotions -- for subordinate female officers with whom he had sexual relations.

Villaraigosa had asked the commission to evaluate Bratton’s performance in seven categories, including continued reduction in crime, compliance with a federal consent decree mandating reforms, maximizing the field strength of the LAPD, and ensuring diversity in hiring and promotion.

The other areas of evaluation set by the mayor include homeland security and disaster preparedness, implementing anti-gang policies and the fiscal management of LAPD resources.

The chief has won praise from city officials for implementing most reforms required by the consent decree, making inroads in reducing gang crime and improving the LAPD’s readiness for potential terrorism or natural disasters. Expansion of the police force has fallen short, however.

The goals for next year include a continued reduction of crime, officials said.