LAPD Bid by Ex-N.Y. Chief OK by Hahn

Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn said Tuesday that he welcomes William Bratton’s interest in the LAPD’s chief position, but added that he is not favoring the former New York Police Department commissioner over any other candidate.

“I’m going to wait until the Police Commission decides who those final three candidates are,” Hahn said. “I’m certainly interested in making sure we get all the best candidates we can get. If Mr. Bratton decides to apply, that’s great.

“We want this to be a competitive process. We are looking for the best person we can find.”

Bratton, whose leadership of the NYPD made him one of the nation’s best-known police commanders, stepped down last week from the team monitoring the Los Angeles Police Department because he is considering entering the race to become the city’s next chief.

Bratton is expected to announce this week whether he will seek the LAPD post. He said that before reaching a final decision, he wanted to discuss the matter with his wife, New York City criminal defense attorney Rikki Klieman.

“We’re a two-career family,” Bratton said.

Although Hahn was noncommittal about whether he would support Bratton, he said he has been impressed by the New Yorker’s accomplishments.

“Not many people can name police chiefs in America,” Hahn said. “His is a name that people know.”

During Bratton’s tenure as the New York police commissioner, the Big Apple’s crime rate dropped dramatically. Although the reasons for that decline remain the subject of debate, New York’s policing strategies have been widely emulated.

Bratton resigned from the NYPD commissioner’s post in 1996, saying he was pursuing opportunities in the private sector but amid reports that he and then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani were at odds.

Los Angeles officials began the process of looking for a new police chief in April after the Police Commission voted to deny then-Chief Bernard Parks’ request for a second five-year term. Friday is the deadline for candidates to apply for the job.

The Police Commission is expected to narrow the list to three candidates. Hahn then will name his choice for the job, subject to City Council confirmation.