Police Chief William J. Bratton spent more than one-third of last year -- 125 days -- traveling out of town on business and personal trips, a record that has some city leaders questioning how much his mind is on the job in Los Angeles.
Bratton, who leaves Thursday for a nine-day business trip to Israel, said Los Angeles benefits from the sharing of information on policing and anti-terrorism efforts that occurs when he visits other cities. Bratton released his travel records Friday at the request of The Times.
"There is a value to Los Angeles," he said. "Oftentimes it results in money coming to the city. New ideas are brought back. There is a value to me in terms of staying aware of what changes are occurring in my profession."
The trip to Israel is being billed as an opportunity for Bratton and his Israeli counterparts to meet and share experience and expertise at an anti-terrorism conference.
But critics say his extensive travels mean he has been out of town at crucial moments, including the day after terrorists bombed the London subway and the day a Los Angeles Police Department officer shot to death a toddler being held by her father who was shooting at police.
"During critical times, he is out of town attending to some other interest," said Melanie Lomax, a former police commissioner.
"I'm very concerned because what it indicates to me is the chief of police is on the make for some higher position."
City Councilwoman Janice Hahn has also noticed the chief's frequent absences.
"I would love to see our chief of police spend more time in Los Angeles," she said. "When you are here, you are making Los Angeles your priority. I think it would also help the morale of officers if he was around more."
However, Bratton's travels are accepted by other city leaders who see Bratton as a great ambassador for Los Angeles.
"Year after year, Chief Bratton has delivered results for our city," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said in a statement. "He is one of the country's foremost experts on local policing and one of the most innovative leaders in law enforcement."
But Bratton appears to be taking that ambassador role too far, said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn.
"He's not the secretary of state," Coupal said. "A third of the year just seems like an excessive amount of travel. Isn't there enough crime in Los Angeles for him to stick around?"
