BRATTON SAYS JOB ISN'T OVER, WANTS 2ND TERM AS CHIEF L.A.'S TOP COP SET TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AT COMMISSION.

Byline: RICK ORLOV

Staff Writer

Saying he wants to finish the job he started five years ago, Police Chief William Bratton formally requested reappointment Monday to a second five-year term.

"It's been an honor and a privilege to serve as Los Angeles' chief of police," Bratton said in a prepared statement. "While we have accomplished a great deal, there is still more to do. I want to continue to lead that effort over the next five years."

Aides said Bratton will respond to questions before today's scheduled Los Angeles Police Commission meeting.

Bratton, whose term expires Oct. 24, was required to reapply this month for a second term. If he is reappointed, he will be the first chief to serve two full terms since voters approved a term limit for chiefs in 1992.

Bratton, 59, who is paid $300,442 a year, has received high marks in the past from the commission and city officials for his performance and has proved popular in the city, overcoming suspicions -- particularly in the minority communities -- after succeeding two African-American chiefs, Bernard Parks and Willie Williams.

Bratton also has been able to overcome tensions within the department by establishing a more cordial relationship with the Los Angeles Police Protective League than either of his predecessors had, and by responding to the needs of City Council members.

Crime has dropped to historic low levels under his administration, even without a vast increase in the number of officers. The department now has some 9,400 officers and is looking to grow to 10,000 by 2009.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has continually offered his support of Bratton, and the two have developed a cordial relationship cemented in weekly meetings and joint appearances.

The mayor has been outspoken in his desire to see Bratton seek a second term, crediting the chief with the continued drop in crime that has made L.A. the second-safest big city in the nation.

"The mayor believes that Bill Bratton is the best police chief in the nation and looks forward to working with him for a second term," spokesman Matt Szabo said.

More recently, the two have joined forces to combat gang crime and have been advancing proposals to identify gang members and target the city's most notorious gangs.

The Police Commission now has 90 days to respond to Bratton's application. But as recently as November, the panel gave him high marks in his annual review.

Bratton was hired by former Mayor James Hahn to replace Parks. He came to the LAPD from Kroll Associates, where he was part of the team working to monitor the LAPD under a federal consent decree.

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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