Bratton Earns A's Thus Far
Close to wrapping up an evaluation of Chief William J. Bratton's fourth year in the job, the president and vice president of the Los Angeles Police Commission say that if the matter were up for a vote this week, they would give him a five-year contract extension.
Although several City Council members have criticized the occasionally acerbic chief, alleging that he has made a few "unprofessional" public comments, commissioners say they are generally pleased with Bratton's tenure, which has been marked by sharp declines in crime, improvements in officer morale and implementation of many reforms demanded by civil rights advocates.
On Tuesday, the commission is scheduled to meet with Bratton behind closed doors at the City Club at 330 S. Hope St. to discuss his performance. Before that, the panel has set aside time starting at 8:30 a.m. to hear what the public thinks of the chief.
"I personally would support the chief's five-year renewal," commission President John Mack said. "Overall, Chief Bratton is doing an outstanding job. He is human, so he is not perfect, but clearly he is providing visionary leadership and the kind of leadership the LAPD needs to continue to transform."
Though the vote on whether to give Bratton, 58, another five-year term is about a year away, commission Vice President Alan Skobin said he also was prepared to extend the chief's tenure.
"We are fortunate that he is our chief," Skobin said.
Even the panel member who has questioned Bratton the most on policies and procedures has expressed her support. At a recent meeting of the five-person panel, commissioner Shelly Freeman said she was "very impressed" with Bratton's leadership.
"We don't always agree on everything, but I have tremendous respect for him and I do think that he is the right person to lead this department," Freeman said.
In addition to potentially providing the chief with a fat raise, this year's performance evaluation is a key appraisal for Bratton, coming just months before he begins the process of seeking a second five-year term.
Bratton's first term ends in October 2007, and the City Charter requires him to notify the commission by March whether he wants a second and final term. If retained, he would be the first chief to be kept on since the 1992 redrafting of the City Charter, which gives the Police Commission power to reappoint the chief or not. If he is reappointed, it would take the votes of 10 of the 15 City Council members to overturn the decision.
