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Yesterday, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa met with all three of the finalists for the position of Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, to replace William Bratton, who surrendered his star this weekend and is moving back to New York to work in the private sector. The three candidates all come from within the LAPD, a consideration that the departed Bratton and many Angelenos felt was essential to the future success of the department. Sunday's meetings were the second of the week between the three and the Mayor; Villaraigosa's "request to see them again appeared to indicate that the choice was not an easy one," notes the LA Times.Up for the job are Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Charlie Beck, Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell and Deputy Chief Michel Moore. The new Chief will face some immediate and persistent challenges as head of the legendary police force. It is hoped--and expected--that the new Chief will "carry on William Bratton's legacy of reform," according to the Daily News, referring to laborious strides made by the LAPD since Bratton took the reins 7 years ago for the department to address the crime rate, gang violence, and its reputation as corrupt and bullying.
Although the Mayor had initially planned to name Bratton's successor today, he has opted to wait until to tomorrow as he takes additional time to weigh his choices.
