1992 Vote on Terms for Chief Approved : Council: Committee unanimously OKs plan to limit time in office and eliminate Civil Service protection.

A key Los Angeles City Council Committee on Wednesday unanimously endorsed holding a special election early next year for voters to decided on new terms for hiring and firing the city’s chief of police.

The proposal, which still needs the approval of a divided City Council, would place on the ballot a measure that would limit the chief of police to two, five-year terms, eliminate his civil service protection and create a level playing field for candidates from inside and outside the department.

“We’re on our way,” said Councilman Joel Wachs, who has championed the speedy adoption of reforms contained in the Christopher Commission report.

“I think it’s significant that the first committee to consider (the special election) voted unanimously,” said Councilwoman Joy Picus, chairwoman of the Human Resources and Labor Relations Committee.

The vote came just 15 days after the blue ribbon Christopher Commission submitted its 228-page report on police reforms and only two days after Police Chief Daryl F. Gates agreed to retire next April.

Two prospective dates for the election are Jan. 28 and March 2--both early enough to affect the hiring of a successor to Gates, according to city Personnel Department General Manager Jack Driscoll.

Some council members have expressed opposition to the the special election because of its estimated $1.8 million cost. Others have objected to splitting up the comprehensive package of Christopher Commission reforms. Some council members have also feared that holding an election while Gates is still in office would become a divisive referendum on his performance.

The Christopher Commission, which found problems of racism, sexism, excessive force and management failures in the LAPD, recommended curbs on the power of the chief, shifts in department philosophy and changes in the training and discipline of officers. It also called for the transition of power from Gates to a new chief.

Some of the recommendations--including those affecting the tenure and terms for hiring the police chief--require changes to the City Charter that must be approved by the city’s voters.

The City Council is now considering those recommendations, and Wednesday’s vote is the first major step taken by the council to implement the historic reform package.

“It adds to the momentum,” said Picus about the committee’s action. “It’s exciting.”

“We weren’t unanimous coming into this, and that is very significant, “ Wachs said, noting that many of his colleagues on the full council are still opposed to the special election.

“I know a lot of council members had initial questions, but as you really begin to think out the options, this really is the way to go. As we go along I think we will get the votes.”

Picus said she also was encouraged by the unanimous vote. “I felt all along that when the arguments were presented that the council would go along,” she said.

Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores, who had earlier questioned the timing and nature of the proposals, said she was persuaded by arguments that the reforms be enacted before the selection of a new chief.

Earlier this week, Gates said he would retire in April, 1992, or when his successor is named. Without changes to the City Charter recommended by the Christopher Commission, the new chief would have the same controversial life-tenure as Gates has enjoyed.

“The selection of a new chief is of the utmost urgency,” Flores said after the committee vote. Initially, she said she was concerned about the estimated $1.8 million cost of a special election. “Although it would not be my first choice to have a special election,” she said, “I don’t think we should delay.”

The committee deliberated for two hours, hearing from Christopher Commission staff and city personnel chief Driscoll, before taking its vote.

“The critical concept is to strike an appropriate balance between the concern for isolation of the chief from political pressure on one hand, but on the other hand a recognition of the need for civilian oversight of the chief,” John Spiegel, general counsel of the Christopher Commission told the committee.

“The reasoning of the commission is a system of life tenure for the chief ... is not the best way to strike that balance,” he said.

Driscoll told the panel that he endorsed changing the rules for hiring a new chief.

“We are looking for the best (chief),” he said. “It could be an insider or an outsider. But the only way you’ll know is to have a level playing field.”

Hinting that there may be some changes to the proposal when it goes to the full council, Flores said she believes current LAPD officers and top brass should have an advantage over outside candidates.

“I’ve always believed there is a lot of value ... to select someone with experience in the department, who knows this city, who knows the history of what’s going on,” she said.

“I’m not convinced the chief of police should come from outside,” she added. “While I don’t think we should preclude other people from applying or being considered, if you are not training people from within (for management positions), then your organization is not doing its job.”

The City Council’s Public Safety Committee, meanwhile, the nominations of Jesse Brewer and Ann Reiss Lane to the Police Commission.

Lane, a longtime member of the the city’s Fire Commission, was nominated by Mayor Tom Bradley to replace outgoing Police Commissioner Melanie Lomax. Brewer, a retired assistant chief who criticized LAPD management in testimony before the Christopher Commission, is to replace Commissioner Sam Williams.

The nominations now go to the full council.