Mayor Villaraigosa begins interviewing LAPD chief candidates today: says it's his most important appointment

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa begins interviews with three finalists to succeed Police Chief Bill Bratton Wednesday. All are longtime LAPD insiders.

In his 10th floor office at the new downtown LAPD headquarters yesterday afternoon, Bratton shouts out Charlie Beck's name as the deputy chief passes by his door. Beck is one of three finalists who hopes to succeed Bratton.

Bill Bratton: "Congratulations. Good luck on the rest of it. I just sent you Jimmy and Michel a congratulatory message."

Charlie Beck: "I got it, I got it. I see Frank finally got his prime interview."

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Bratton: "He penetrated my tight security, so he's in here now."

Frank Stoltze: "Just a quick, what do you think?"

Beck: "Well, I think we owe Chief Bratton a debt of gratitude that he brought three of us up in the organization that are now eligible to be chief of the organization."

Beck, 56, is chief of detectives. His father was an LAPD cop. Two of his children are officers with the department. He’s credited with turning around the troubled Rampart Division. Civil rights leaders regard him as a reformer.

The second finalist for chief is Bratton’s chief of staff, First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell.

In an interview a few weeks ago, McDonnell, a 50-year-old Boston native, said his experience in the department qualifies him to succeed Bratton.

He said his work leading up to this point - heading up operations, human resources, and having been chief of staff - has prepared him well.

"I feel like I have a taste of what the job entails," he said.

All the candidates have talked about the importance of continuing Bratton’s emphasis on community policing and his use of technology to advance crime-fighting – including the third finalist for chief, Deputy Chief Michel Moore.

As head of the LAPD’s San Fernando Valley operations, Moore helped to rescue a 300-pound woman during the fire that roared through the Oakridge Mobile Home Park last year. At the time, he recounted the story for KPCC.

"They had this woman who was substantial in her size and was immobile, and those two firefighters could not remove her, and the place is going up," he said. "We began coaxing her and assuring her that we would lock the door and we would make sure that it would be safe, and I just recall, I'm thinking to myself, we'll all be lucky to get out of here."

Moore, 49, has won numerous LAPD awards including its medal of valor. The department roster lists him as a Latino. An LAPD spokesman said his biological father is Latino. Moore’s selection as a finalist for chief surprised some observers because he’s maintained a relatively low profile at the department.

Former Police Commissioner Rick Caruso helped select Bratton seven years ago. He said the next chief shouldn't necessarily be high profile like Bratton.

"When Pope John Paul died, you had this very charismatic pope that really changed the world," Caruso said. "And the cardinals did a good job in picking somebody like Benedict who is more low key and kinda a maintenance guy. You couldn’t go back-to-back Bill Brattons."

Seven years ago, city leaders had so little faith in the LAPD’s command staff that no one from those ranks made the list of finalists for chief. This time, all three have worked at least a quarter century with the department.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa plans to interview them this week. He’s expected to announce what he’s described as his most important appointment next week. His pick is subject to City Council approval.