As the Los Angeles Police Commission meets today to begin interviews with candidates vying to become LAPD's next chief, four department insiders who were early favorites remain leading contenders, according to city, community and law enforcement leaders monitoring the confidential selection process.
The top candidates, most officials say, are Assistant Chiefs Jim McDonnell, Earl Paysinger and Sharon Papa and Deputy Chief Charlie Beck.
Beck, a 32-year veteran of the force who has established a strong reputation among the LAPD rank and file and civic leaders alike for being both a tough cop and progressive thinker on crime, is widely perceived to have gained a slight advantage over the others. Papa, meanwhile, is viewed as more of a long shot in light of some missteps made in recent months by parts of the department under her command, according to several sources.
LAPD watchers cautioned, however, that the competition is far from decided and that the candidates' performance in the interviews before the commission and later with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has the final say, will play a significant role. One dark horse mentioned by some as having a chance if she bowls over the commission in her interview is Deputy Chief Sandy Jo MacArthur, who heads the LAPD's training group.
For weeks now, those jockeying to replace outgoing Chief William J. Bratton have had to walk a delicate line, pursuing their interests in the job without appearing to be campaigning for it. Unlike political races where public endorsements, cash contributions and votes are eagerly sought, the unofficial campaign for chief demands two things: discretion and the mayor's support.
On its face, the rules of engagement appear simple: Identify the politicians, LAPD officials, high-powered attorneys, civic leaders, Hollywood moguls and others whose counsel Villaraigosa might seek in making his decision. Call them up and ask for help. In reality, it is far more complicated.
"It is a very, very weird process," said one prominent LAPD official, who, like everyone else interviewed for this article, asked that his name not be used because the selection process is confidential. "There are the people you absolutely must call and pay homage to -- the elected officials and whatnot. There are the people who could do you some harm and, so, who you need to neutralize. And then there are the people who can actually put in a good word for you with the mayor. You need to navigate all of these waters, and you need to do it skillfully."
