LAPD Chief, Parks Reportedly Settle Feud : Law enforcement: Williams’ top assistant will step down but keep current pay. Council members had urged similar compromise.

Los Angeles Police Chief Willie L. Williams and his former top assistant, Bernard C. Parks, have agreed to settle their politically charged feud with a compromise that allows Parks to keep his current pay while accepting a demotion, sources said.

The agreement between the Police Department’s two most powerful figures might be cemented as early as this morning, when the City Council could vote to keep Parks’ pay at $128,388, even as he drops from an assistant chief to deputy chief.

Williams reportedly initiated the settlement with the man he beat out for the chief’s job, even though he had said just a week ago that he would not allow “political tampering” by council members who had proposed a similar agreement.

“The chief made the overture to bury the hatchet in the best interest of the city and the department so we can put this all behind us,” said a source familiar with the dispute.

Parks is not expected to return to work for a week or two after an agreement is finalized. Meanwhile, he would be given an assignment by Williams.

With completion of the agreement, the most serious political controversy of Williams’ administration would be settled. The chief enjoys enormous public popularity, but has been under increasing pressure from Mayor Richard Riordan to move ahead with plans to increase the size of the department and implement reforms recommended by the Christopher Commission.

The demotion of Parks and several other staff changes announced last month were widely viewed as Williams’ response to the increasing political pressure.

With the understanding reached Thursday, Williams would not force Parks to take a $6,500-a-year pay cut that normally would come with his demotion, while Parks would agree to drop one rank from assistant chief to deputy chief. Parks would agree to waive any legal claim against the city for unfair treatment or improper notice of the demotion.

The understanding between the two men is virtually the same as proposed by several City Council members last week.

The political leaders had said that Parks, a popular 29-year veteran, had been demoted without proper notice and treated shabbily by Williams. Councilmen Richard Alatorre, John Ferraro, Nate Holden and Zev Yaroslavsky proposed that Parks take the demotion without a loss of pay.

Riordan and the Police Commission came to Williams’ defense, saying that the chief should be allowed to run the department without interference by council members.

In one of his most demonstrative proclamations since he became chief, Williams insisted just a week ago that he would not bow to the council’s demands.

“I make the decisions,” Williams told reporters at the time.