Mayor, Panel to Meet About Chief : Inquiry: The private session today is part of Riordan’s review of the Police Commission’s reported reprimand of Willie L. Williams.

Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, who soon will be required to act on the outcome of a politically delicate investigation of Police Chief Willie L. Williams, plans to meet in closed session with the Police Commission today, the mayor’s office confirmed.

The meeting is “part of the review process” the mayor has begun in connection with the matter, said Noelia Rodriguez, Riordan’s press secretary.

The five-member civilian commission, according to sources, has reprimanded Williams for allegedly lying about accepting free accommodations at a Las Vegas hotel-casino. Williams, denying any wrongdoing, blamed a misunderstanding and has threatened to sue.

Because it is just the third time in two years that Riordan has attended a Police Commission meeting, word of today’s session caused a buzz at City Hall. However, Rodriguez said no mayoral action is expected to result from the session.

*

Under provisions of a voter-approved police reform package, the mayor must review any disciplinary action the commission takes against the chief. Riordan, who has enlisted former City Atty. Burt Pines to advise him, could let the discipline stand, overturn it or modify it. He has five working days, beginning Wednesday, to reach a decision.

Several of the chief’s supporters have said the Las Vegas allegations, along with earlier criticisms of his leadership, are ill-founded attempts to get rid of the city’s first black police chief, hired from Philadelphia in the wake of the 1992 riots. A Times poll last week showed the chief still enjoys broad support throughout the city and that the LAPD’s credibility and public confidence continue to rise steadily under his tenure.

The commission, appointed by Riordan subject to City Council approval, has been critical of Williams’ leadership.