LAT Poll: 2 Thumbs Up for LAPD, 1 Thumb Up for Mayor
The LAPD's high public ratings in an LA Times poll may partly be due to Mayor Villaraigosa, but he earned a 55% approval rating with the same poll takers. The upside? With LA voters, he could win the Democratic nomination for Governor's seat at 38%, beating out Jerry Brown (32%) and Gavin Newsom (13%). Goverornor Schwarzenegger's approval rating was 29%.
As for the LAPD and their 77% approval rating, Chief Bratton for Mayor jokes may become more common. The approval of Bratton himself has not changed, but the Times notes the base has changed from more whites to more blacks.
"The figures seem to reflect Bratton's focus on forging ties between the Police Department and minority communities," Joel Rubin wrote. "Bratton, his senior staff and commanders in the field meet regularly with community leaders. Recruiting efforts have changed the face of the department as well to one in which Latinos are the majority and blacks are actively sought. And training today at the department's academy includes an increased focus on issues of race and bias."