The Los Angeles Police Commission on passed over all contenders from the LAPD and chose three outsiders Thursday as its top candidates to become the city's next police chief--former New York Police Commissioner William Bratton, Oxnard Police Chief Art Lopez and former Philadelphia Police Commissioner John Timoney.
Commission President Rick Caruso, who led the panel in its five-month nationwide search, said he and his colleagues opted for outsiders because Los Angeles "is a city at the crossroads, at a historic turning point."
For The Record
Los Angeles Times Saturday September 21, 2002 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 9 inches; 338 words Type of Material: Correction
Police chief--A front page photo caption in Friday's Section A incorrectly identified John Timoney, a finalist for Los Angeles police chief, as the former commissioner of the New York Police Department. He was Philadelphia's police commissioner.
The three finalists are "proven leaders, each willing to listen and to lead," he said. "They understand the challenges ahead of us and have been tested and recognized for their distinguished record in police work."
The list was forwarded to Mayor James K. Hahn, who will make the final choice, subject to council confirmation. He called the selections "outstanding," and said he was "confident that the next chief is on this list."
Hahn played a strong role in the selection process, dispatching his top aides to sleuth out the backgrounds of outside contenders. He will begin interviewing candidates on Monday. The mayor has known Lopez for years and has met Bratton, but not Timoney.
Hahn has stressed in recent interviews that he believes the Los Angeles Police Department is a deeply troubled institution in need of a strong leader who can overcome a culture stubbornly resistant to change.
The department is plagued by low morale, rising crime and a history of controversies ranging from the Rodney G. King beating to the Rampart scandal. But while there is wide consensus among city leaders on the need for department reform, there has been much debate over whether an insider or outsider would be best for the job.
The commission delivered a blow to the department by rejecting all inside candidates. Lopez is the only finalist with any connection to the LAPD, having served as deputy chief.
One of the inside candidates, LAPD Assistant Chief David Gascon, said he was "devastated" by the news.
"I guess if I had one wish, it would be that people would start to recognize the significant contributions and outstanding work that have been done by a lot of people in the LAPD," said Gascon, a 25-year department veteran. "They need to be appreciated and supported.''
A citizens committee appointed by the Police Commission had advised the panel that an insider would likely have a smoother time reforming the department of 9,020 officers.
