7 CONFIRM THEY'RE FINALISTS FOR LAPD CHIEF'S JOB.

Byline: Mariel Garza Staff Writer

Seven applicants for the job of Los Angeles police chief said Wednesday they are among the 13 candidates still in the running.

The Police Commission on Tuesday narrowed the pool down to 13 but refused to identify them beyond saying it is a diverse group of men and women of different races and ethnicities. The commissioners said they had promised some of the candidates their privacy would be protected.

But several candidates who had identified themselves when the initial field of 51 was formed stepped forward Wednesday and said they had made the cut.

Two former deputy chiefs of the Los Angeles Police Department - Mark Kroeker, now chief in Portland, Ore., and Art Lopez, chief in Oxnard - both said they were contacted by the executive search firm hired by the city and given an interview date next week.

Within the LAPD, Deputy Chief David Kalish confirmed that he made the cut, as did Deputy Chief Margaret York, according to her assistant. Cmdrs. George Gascon, Sharon Papa and Jim McDonnell also said they were notified they would be interviewed for the chief's job.

Other candidates either could not be reached for comment or did not return calls.

Interviews for the position will begin next week. The Police Commission is hoping to get a list of three finalists to the mayor by the end of September.