Delgadillo Hires Former Police Board President

Los Angeles City Atty. Rocky Delgadillo has hired former Police Commission President Gerald Chaleff as one of his senior advisors, specializing in risk management and liability reduction issues, officials said Monday.

Chaleff, who was fired earlier this year from his volunteer post on the Police Commission by then-Mayor Richard Riordan, will begin the $130,000-a-year job next month.

“Throughout his career, Mr. Chaleff has demonstrated an abiding dedication to public service and to the city of Los Angeles,” Delgadillo said.

A Harvard Law School graduate long considered one of Los Angeles’ top criminal defense attorneys, Chaleff helped negotiate the consent decree that outlines reforms the Los Angeles Police Department must undertake or face a takeover by the U.S. Department of Justice.

On the Police Commission, Chaleff often found himself at odds with Police Chief Bernard C. Parks, who questioned whether a criminal defense attorney should lead a panel that determines LAPD policy and evaluates the chief’s performance.

Ultimately, Riordan sided with Parks and fired Chaleff in February.

“His extraordinary leadership skills and his extensive expertise in the legal field will be an invaluable asset in tackling the serious issues facing our city,” Delgadillo said.

In recent weeks, Delgadillo has sought to strengthen his inner circle, hiring Terree A. Bowers, a well-known local attorney and a former federal prosecutor, as chief deputy. George Cardona, a UCLA law professor and another former federal prosecutor, was hired to run Delgadillo’s new criminal division.

Chaleff said Monday that he was looking forward to joining Delgadillo’s team. The city attorney, who was elected in June, has said reducing the city’s liability will be a top priority of his administration.

“I have been practicing private law for 35 years,” Chaleff said. “I’m at a point where I want to do more public service. I see this as an opportunity to give back to the community.”

Chaleff is set to step down from his post as a litigation partner at the firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, where he represents people and businesses accused of white-collar crimes.