9 Say They Made LAPD Short List

Nine law enforcement officials, almost all current or former members of the Los Angeles Police Department, confirmed in interviews Wednesday that they are among a short list of candidates for the chief’s position.

The position opened up when Chief Bernard C. Parks stepped down after the Police Commission’s highly controversial decision to deny him a second five-year term. The chief commands more than 9,000 officers responsible for policing 467 square miles. The new chief will inherit a climbing murder rate and a dwindling interest in police work among the city’s most qualified men and women.

The candidates, who will be interviewed by the Police Commission starting next Wednesday, include:

* LAPD Assistant Chief David Gascon, the department’s chief of staff. He is best known for his role as the department’s spokesman during the O.J. Simpson trial.

* LAPD Deputy Chief Margaret A. York, the first woman in a top position in the department. She is in charge of all operations in downtown Los Angeles. Previously, she headed the internal affairs unit. She is married to Judge Lance Ito, who presided at Simpson’s trial.

* Deputy Chief David Kalish, the highest-ranking gay officer in the LAPD. He served as the department’s spokesman under Parks. He is in charge of Westside operations.

* LAPD Cmdr. Sharon Papa, formerly the chief of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority police. She briefly was a department spokeswoman before becoming the department’s ombudswoman.

* LAPD Cmdr. James McDonnell, who oversees the senior lead officer program and other community policing efforts as a special assistant to acting Chief Martin Pomeroy.

* LAPD Cmdr. George Gascon, who oversees training of LAPD officers and recruits. He is no relation to David Gascon.

* Portland, Ore., Police Chief Mark Kroeker, who served as an LAPD deputy chief under former Chief Willie Williams. He was one of three finalists for the chief’s position five years ago and left the department shortly after then-Mayor Richard Riordan chose Parks.

* Former New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton, the media-savvy head of the NYPD under ex-Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He is best know for dramatically cutting the crime rate in New York City. He also was the head of the Boston Police Department and the New York City transit police.

* Oxnard Police Chief Art Lopez, formerly an LAPD deputy chief and one of the department’s highest-ranking Latinos.

According to sources, two other candidates up for interviews include former Philadelphia Police Chief John Timoney and Sacramento Police Chief Arturo Venegas, who was a finalist for the LAPD job five years ago. Both men have declined to comment. Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters has been named as another possible candidate. He was on vacation Wednesday and could not be reached.

Police Commission officials said Tuesday that they had narrowed the list of candidates to 13.

City officials have refused to release those names, citing privacy concerns. However, commission President Rick Caruso said Tuesday that the 13 men and women are an ethnically diverse group from within the LAPD and other law enforcement agencies across the country.

In a closed meeting, the commission voted candidate by candidate whether to extend an interview invitation, Caruso said.

Not all the remaining 13 received the backing of all commissioners, he said, but after each candidate was voted on, the panel voted again and unanimously approved the list.

Since April, former Deputy Chief Pomeroy has led the department on a temporary basis. Pomeroy, who retired last year, said he plans to return to his home in Montana once a new chief is selected.

Under the City Charter, the commission will select its top three choices and forward the names to Mayor James K. Hahn, who will make the final decision, subject to City Council approval.

Caruso said the commission will pick six finalists, in case Hahn rejects the three top contenders.

He said the commission will adhere to the criteria created by a blue-ribbon citizens committee in interviewing candidates.

At the top of the list of desired qualities is effective leadership and the ability to inspire the department’s officers.

The new chief also should support reform efforts, boost community policing, work to maintain the department’s diversity, be a good manager and know how to navigate the city’s political waters, the committee recommended.