Hahn Goes Public on Selection of LAPD Chief

Seeking to avoid the controversy that dogged him the last time he made a pivotal decision about Los Angeles’ police chief, Mayor James K. Hahn is launching a media campaign this week to prepare the city for his imminent selection of a new top official for the Los Angeles Police Department.

On radio and television news programs, in English and Spanish, the mayor will talk about the need for a strong leader, someone who can reduce the crime rate, boost morale, recruit new officers and reform the department.

He will talk about the need for a partnership between Los Angeles’ diverse neighborhoods and its police force and the need for someone who understands and accepts civilian oversight. Finally, Hahn is stressing his desire to have someone with whom he will have a solid working relationship.

“I want to get the message out as widely as I can about what my priorities are for public safety in this city,” the mayor said in a recent interview. “I want to talk to people all over the city and tell them what’s going into my thinking and what my priorities are.”

While Hahn’s criteria offer no surprises, some observers took note of topics he is not addressing. Race, for one. The merits of choosing an LAPD insider or an outsider, for another.

Some political consultants say it appears the mayor wants to avoid controversy as he conducts the media campaign and tries to prepare the public for his selection. That way, when Hahn announces his choice to lead the LAPD, the city will be more likely to accept it.

When Hahn opposed a second five-year term for former Chief Bernard C. Parks, he was criticized for failing to make his case to the public. Many were caught off guard by his decision, and many did not understand it. In particular, he suffered a significant loss of support in the African American community.

“I think the mayor’s realized that surprise is not a suit he wears well,” said Harvey Englander, a veteran city political consultant. “This [media campaign] really brings the public into the discussion, something he was criticized for not doing with Chief Parks.”

The Police Commission, which is scheduled to meet in closed session today, recently narrowed its list of candidates to 13, including six who work in the department and seven others.

The mayor sent his closest aide and chief of staff, Tim McOsker, and a deputy mayor to several cities to gain insight into some of the outside candidates. They are expected to brief the five-member commission today on their findings.

The Police Commission is expected soon to select three top candidates, whose names will be turned over to the mayor for a final selection.

Hahn stressed that he will not use this decision to improve relations with the African American community or any other.

“I don’t think it’s about whose turn it is, what politically helps me, if it helps me fight secession or if it helps me repair relations with this community or that community,” Hahn said. “It’s about picking the best person.... This chief will be the chief for every neighborhood, every person in the city. I want people to understand how I’m making this decision.”

The mayor will appear on public radio and television, Spanish-language radio and several other radio shows as well. He plans to conduct television interviews, and he already has met with reporters from several local newspapers.

Several political consultants say Hahn’s media strategy is smart. He will have an important audience: policymakers, homeowners, community leaders, people from many segments of Los Angeles.

One consultant said Hahn is “preconditioning the market for his selection,” meaning he is gathering support before he makes his decision.

In the end, the mayor said he will select a leader who is quickly accepted by the department and the community. And he will not rush his decision.

“I am going to take as much time as I need,” Hahn said. “I want to get to know this person, to see if this person shares my vision for public safety and is someone I can work with and have a strong relationship with. The mayor is elected by everyone in the city. I am the chief executive officer of the city, and I’ve got to have a strong relationship, a strong partnership, with the chief.”

“After all,” he added, “there is no more important job than public safety.”