LAPD, City Hall watchers closely track chief selection

Nov. 2, 2009 | By Frank Stoltze | KPCC
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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to name a new police chief Tuesday. The closely-watched choice will likely replace former chief William Bratton.

The mayor initially scheduled a single one-hour interview with each of the finalists last week. That apparently wasn’t enough for him to decide, so he met with each of them again yesterday at his official residence in Hancock Park.

The finalists include former Chief Bratton’s second-in-command, Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell; Deputy Chief Charlie Beck, who oversees detectives; and Deputy Chief Michel Moore, who heads the LAPD’s San Fernando Valley operations. Moore is the son of a Spanish-born Basque father and is the only Latino in the running.

Each joined the LAPD a quarter century ago, when Daryl Gates was its chief. Gates resisted civilian oversight and many people considered him insensitive to racial minorities.

While careful to avoid too much direct criticism of Gates, who remains popular with many cops, each finalist has said they embrace Bratton’s more community-friendly style of policing and deference to the police commission.

The mayor’s selection is subject to City Council approval.

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