William J. Bratton on Tuesday became the first Los Angeles police chief since the 1992 riots to win a second term, a milestone for a department that has been struggling to recover from years of scandal and discord that brought down his last three predecessors.
The Los Angeles Police Commission voted unanimously to give Bratton a second five-year term, citing his aggressive efforts to reduce crime and work with community groups that have long been critical of the LAPD's treatment of black and Latino residents.
Bratton's first term was marked by its share of controversial incidents, including videotaped beatings by officers -- most recently when police fired foam rubber bullets and struck reporters and demonstrators with batons at an immigration rights rally last month in MacArthur Park.
But under Bratton, crime in Los Angeles dropped significantly, particularly in high-crime areas such as South L.A.
Equally important, LAPD watchers said, is that he managed a balancing act that had eluded previous chiefs: maintaining the support of rank-and-file officers while also gaining trust from longtime LAPD critics. He pressed the flesh at barbershops, churches and community events, using the chief's position as a bully pulpit to take on gang members, politicians and others with whom he disagreed -- even if he had to apologize later.
"He's the right leader at the right time," said Police Commission President John Mack, who as the former head of the L.A. Urban League was a vocal critic of Los Angeles Police Department practices.
Erwin Chemerinsky, a former USC law professor who led the city's elected charter reform commission, said Bratton has brought important reforms to the department.
The Christopher Commission, formed after the 1991 beating of Rodney G. King, called for the chief's job to lose civil service protection. The Police Commission can decide whether to appoint the chief for a second term.
"He's increased the morale of the officers, which had been a huge problem," Chemerinsky said. "He's worked to change the culture of the department."
Warren Christopher, the former secretary of State who headed the commission that bore his name, agreed, saying: "This is a sound decision that provides for a continuity of strong leadership with a commitment to further reform."
Continuity of leadership has long been a problem at the Police Department since former Chief Daryl F. Gates stepped down following the 1992 riots, which erupted after the four officers who beat King were acquitted in a criminal trial in Simi Valley.
