No LAPD Insiders Make List of Three Finalists for Chief

The Los Angeles Police Commission on passed over all contenders from the LAPD and chose three outsiders Thursday as its top candidates to become the city’s next police chief--former New York Police Commissioner William Bratton, Oxnard Police Chief Art Lopez and former Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Timoney.

Commission President Rick Caruso, who led the panel in its five-month nationwide search, said he and his colleagues opted for outsiders because Los Angeles “is a city at the crossroads, at a historic turning point.”

The three finalists are “proven leaders, each willing to listen and to lead,” he said. “They understand the challenges ahead of us and have been tested and recognized for their distinguished record in police work.”

The list was forwarded to Mayor James K. Hahn, who will make the final choice, subject to council confirmation. He called the selections “outstanding,” and said he was “confident that the next chief is on this list.”

Hahn played a strong role in the selection process, dispatching his top aides to sleuth out the backgrounds of outside contenders. He will begin interviewing candidates on Monday. The mayor has known Lopez for years and has met Bratton, but not Timoney.

Hahn has stressed in recent interviews that he believes the Los Angeles Police Department is a deeply troubled institution in need of a strong leader who can overcome a culture stubbornly resistant to change.

The department is plagued by low morale, rising crime and a history of controversies ranging from the Rodney G. King beating to the Rampart scandal. But while there is wide consensus among city leaders on the need for department reform, there has been much debate over whether an insider or outsider would be best for the job.

The commission delivered a blow to the department by rejecting all inside candidates. Lopez is the only finalist with any connection to the LAPD, having served as deputy chief.

One of the inside candidates, LAPD Assistant Chief David Gascon, said he was “devastated” by the news.

“I guess if I had one wish, it would be that people would start to recognize the significant contributions and outstanding work that have been done by a lot of people in the LAPD,” said Gascon, a 25-year department veteran. “They need to be appreciated and supported.”

A citizens committee appointed by the Police Commission had advised the panel that an insider would likely have a smoother time reforming the department of 9,020 officers.

“I must say I was very surprised that no insider was selected,” said Ann Reiss Lane, who was on the committee. “To others in the department now, that the commission went outside must be discouraging.”

Mitzi Grasso, president of the Los Angeles Police Protective League, said she fielded numerous phone calls from union members disappointed by the omission of department insiders. Nonetheless, she credited the commission for its diligence.

“I think they were looking at innovative ways to bring a breath of fresh air to the LAPD,” she said.

The mayor said the selection of three outsiders should not be seen as a slight to those in the department.

“I think the commission looked very seriously at all the candidates and felt there were outstanding men and women in the department that we hope will stay with the department and work with the next chief,” Hahn said. “I don’t think it’s a slap at the LAPD.”

Police Commissioner David S. Cunningham III said the “million-dollar question” for commissioners was whether to limit themselves exclusively to candidates from the LAPD or look nationally.

“Originally my view had been that I wanted an insider. But in looking at the resumes and the presentations ... I tried to do it based on the facts,” he said. “I’m really hoping that the men and women of the LAPD understand that we still think those deputy chiefs and commanders that came before us were each incredible. I want them to continue to stay part of the LAPD. We need them.”

Civil rights attorney Connie Rice, who also served on the citizen’s committee, said she was more concerned about the three finalists’ qualifications and the records of the departments they led.

“There are some pretty serious questions,” she said. “None of these cities has shown any particularly good solutions.”

Bratton’s tenure as NYPD commissioner from 1994 to 1996 gained him national acclaim. It was marked by historic declines in homicides and other serious felonies, as well as by complaints from civil libertarians over the department’s crackdown on low-level crimes. He also was the head of the Boston Police Department and the New York City Transit Police.

Bratton resigned as New York City police commissioner in April 1996 to take a job as head of the New York City division of Boston-based First Security Services Corp.

The Irish-born Timoney, 54, was second in command under Bratton in New York and took over the Philadelphia Police Department in 1998. He stepped down shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks to work as a consultant for a New York City private security firm.

Oxnard Chief Lopez, meanwhile, held a number of jobs during his tenure in the LAPD. He was in charge of the Hollenbeck Division, headed the department’s training efforts and oversaw the Hollywood vice squad. He also served as the Watts field commander during the 1992 riots.

The new chief will replace Bernard C. Parks, who resigned after being denied a second five-year term by Hahn and the Police Commission.

The commission choose the three finalists from a list that included six members of the LAPD brass and seven outside candidates.

After watching Hahn praise him on television, an exuberant Lopez said from his Oxnard office that he wasn’t surprised he is a finalist, partly because he has known Hahn for more than two decades and they’ve always worked well together.

Lopez said he promised the Police Commission that he would find a way to “build a bridge” between the powerful Los Angeles police union and police and city administrators.

Lopez said his long history with the LAPD--working his way up to deputy chief--and his knowledge of the agency’s distinct culture worked to his advantage.

Bratton was in Caracas, Venezuela, advising the police department there on its law enforcement strategies when he heard the news.

“I’m very pleased and excited,” Bratton said in a telephone interview. “I want to work with the mayor; he has a good team. They really understand what the problems are in the LAPD. They fully embrace community policing, which is refreshing.”

Bratton also said that he believes that he has an advantage because he has spent more than a year working with the outside monitoring team tracking reforms in the LAPD.

“I know what the problems are,” Bratton said. “I’m in a good position to deliver in a very short period of time.”

For his part, Timoney expressed pleasure with the selection process.

“Some of us were worried that maybe this wouldn’t be an open process, that they only wanted insiders,” Timoney said in an interview. “But that’s been put to rest. I’m looking forward to opportunity to moving to the final phase. I’ve never met the mayor before. I’m looking forward to that.”

If he gets the job, Timoney said his first order of business will be “to win over the troops ....With a good plan, a good vision and a good message, I can do that.”

LAPD insiders passed over included Gascon, Deputy Chief David Kalish, Assistant Chief Margaret York and Cmdrs. George Gascon, James McDonnell and Sharon Papa.

The others of the 13 who had been up for consideration were former Deputy Chief Mark Kroeker, now chief of the Portland Police Bureau in Oregon; Sacramento Police Chief Art Venegas, Cambridge, Mass., Chief Ronnie Watson and Santa Ana Chief Paul M. Walters.

Some candidates who failed to make the final cut expressed their disappointment but said they looked forward to working with Hahn’s choice.

“All three have vast experience in law enforcement, and all three have positive reputations,” said Kalish. “Any one of them would do a fine job. Because he won’t be an insider, it will be important for those of us in leadership positions to get behind the new chief and inspire support from the rank and file.”

“The selection, I think, has been a fair process,” said George Gascon. “I think we have both the moral and legal obligation to support whoever the chief is.” The commission began interviewing the 13 top candidates for the position two weeks ago, and on Tuesday was briefed by members of Hahn’s staff who spoke with people close to the outside candidates.

The mayor said he plans to interview the candidates with the assistance of Council President Alex Padilla and Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, chair of the Public Safety Committee.

“Under the charter the selection I make is still subject to approval of the council,” said Hahn, “so I think key individuals on the council who have a lot to say about that--I thought it was appropriate to have them begin interviews with me to set the tone that the mayor and council and Police Department need to work together in a strong partnership to keep our community safe.”

Councilman Eric Garcetti said the commission sent a positive signal with its choices.

“It’s clear that there’s fresh air coming into Los Angeles one way or another. Definitely with three outside candidates--although one has LAPD experience--it seems like there was a clear decision made to air out the LAPD a little bit and bring in some experience from the outside.”

Hahn and commissioners emphasized the need for a chief who can manage a diverse city--one that has experienced racial tensions between the community and its police force. Minority leaders expressed cautious optimism on Thursday.

“The issue is not the race of the candidates. The question is whether they have a demonstrated ability to recognize and address the policing needs of the African American community as well as the city of Los Angeles as a whole,” said Kimberly West-Faulcon, Western Regional counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

Commissioner Cunningham echoed that.

“We wanted to look for cultural competency,” Cunningham said. “Cultural competence means understanding the diversity in this city. Certainly, looking at the backgrounds of each of the individuals we reviewed, that was very much an issue for us.”

Los Angeles Urban League President John Mack said he is impressed by Bratton.

“I think there are many parallels between New York and Los Angeles--extremely diversified cities and both having police departments that have gone through some major scandals and problems. He seemingly handled that very well and seemingly is sensitive to some of the issues that are important to the African American community and the minority community.”

Hahn did not set a deadline for making a selection but said he hoped to complete his evaluation within a month.

“The candidates here have certainly proven that they can manage a police department, have been in position to prepare them for being the next police chief,” Hahn said. “I don’t think there is any particular advantage or disadvantage to being an outsider.”

He said the next chief should have a plan to reduce crime and improve officer morale and recruitment, as well as implement reforms of the department and improve police-community relations.

“I will select a candidate who best embodies these qualities and makes Los Angeles the safest big city in America,” Hahn said.

Hahn said he wants to develop a good personal relationship with the person who becomes the next chief so personal chemistry with candidates will be a factor in his decision.

“It’s absolutely imperative that the mayor have a strong relationship with the chief of police,” Hahn said, adding he will play a role in coming up with a public safety plan for the city.

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Times staff writers Patrick McGreevy, Lee Romney, Andrew Blankstein, Eric Malnic, Matea Gold, Daryl Kelley and Jill Leovy contributed to this story.

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The LAPD’s 3 Top Candidates

William J. Bratton

Age: 54

Career: Former police commissioner of the New York and Boston police departments. He is widely credited with dramatically cutting the crime rate in New York City. Currently president of the Bratton Group LLC, a New York City-based consulting firm.

Education: B.S., Boston State College; graduate, FBI National Executive Institution.

Personal: Married to Court TV anchor Rikki Klieman.

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Art Lopez

Age: 52

Career: Chief of police in Oxnard for the last four years. Former deputy chief in the LAPD; as commanding officer of the Hollenbeck area of Los Angeles, he implemented a community-based policing program that became the model for the LAPD.

Education: B.S. in public administration, USC; M.S. in management, Cal Poly Pomona.

Personal: Married with two daughters.

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John F. Timoney

Age: 54

Career: Former police commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department; also first deputy commissioner of the New York City Police Department under William Bratton. Currently CEO for Beau Dietl & Associates, a New York City security firm.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, John Jay College of Criminal Justice; M.A. in American history from Fordham University; master’s degree in urban planning from Hunter College; graduate, Police Management Institute of Columbia University.

Personal: Married, two grown children.