Private Attorney to Evaluate Performance of Police Chief

A divided Los Angeles City Council reluctantly agreed Tuesday to hire a private attorney to advise the Police Commission on evaluating the police chief’s performance and deciding whether to renew his contract for a second five-year term.

Although Chief Willie L. Williams has publicly stated that he intends to seek another term, he has yet to formally apply for the job. That has fueled speculation that he may be holding out for a buyout from the city. He has until Jan. 7 to submit his application. The commission has until April to decide his fate.

The council refused last month to hire the lawyer for fear it would send a message that the commission and the chief were facing off in a contentious battle, and instead asked the office of City Atty. James K. Hahn to handle the matter. But Hahn’s endorsement last week of Williams’ bid for a second term convinced several lawmakers that he has a conflict of interest, creating Tuesday’s 11-4 vote in favor of hiring a lawyer.

Voting against the request Tuesday were council members Jackie Goldberg, Nate Holden, Mark Ridley-Thomas and Rita Walters, according to sources who were in the closed session. All four support for Williams.