Chief Bratton Says He Will Seek Another 5-Year Term When Contract Expires in 2007

Police Chief William J. Bratton said Tuesday he will seek a second term when his current contract as the city of Los Angeles’ top law enforcement official expires in late 2007.

Bratton, the former New York City police commissioner, was appointed by then-Mayor James K. Hahn in fall 2002. In a brief interview as he entered his fourth year in office, Bratton said he would complete his current five-year term and seek a second.

Tuesday’s declaration was the clearest sign yet that Bratton’s future is in Los Angeles despite recurrent stories that he might be lured back to the Big Apple or be scooped up by Scotland Yard or the British version of homeland security. Officials in Britain have long expressed admiration for Bratton’s “broken windows” philosophy of attacking small crimes to prevent big ones.

Bratton’s comments came as no surprise to LAPD officials, who said the chief repeatedly has indicated his long-term commitment to the department. After Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s election last summer, Bratton told the mayor that he would stay on and that he might want to be considered for a second term.

Police Commission President John W. Mack said in an interview that he was supportive of extending Bratton’s tenure.

“I think Chief Bratton is doing an excellent job and hope he will seek a second term. While he has begun to make progress, much is still to be done,” said Mack, the former president of the Los Angeles Urban League.

Mack said although there have been no formal discussions, he believes his fellow commissioners also want Bratton to remain.

During Bratton’s first three years in Los Angeles, violent and property crimes plummeted to modern lows. With 9,200 officers -- a quarter of the size of New York City’s force -- Bratton has complained of struggling to cover 465 square miles of city territory and protect 3.8 million residents.

Hahn and the police commission replaced former Chief Bernard C. Parks with Bratton after a single term.

Villaraigosa has worked closely with Bratton on getting funding for more officers and on counterterrorism initiatives.

Several police officials said Bratton is looking forward to 2007, when expiration of a special retirement plan is expected to thin the ranks of captains and other supervisors. Bratton expects the turnover will give him a chance to reshape the department, they said.