CHIEF'S ALLIES ON COUNCIL DISMAYED : FERRARO KILLS BID TO REVIEW.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

Tension over the rejection of LAPD Chief Willie L. Williams for a second term rose Wednesday, but City Council President John Ferraro declined asking the Police Commission to explain its decision to the council.

Ferraro's turning down the request of council members Nate Holden, Jackie Goldberg and Rita Walters is a major setback for the chief's effort to get a second five-year term when his current term expires July 6.

``It (the request) is ridiculous,'' said Councilman Richard Alatorre. ``It's an admission that they don't have the votes.''

Ferraro said the only way to appropriately get involved in the chief reappointment issue is for it to muster the 10 votes required by Proposition 5 to take jurisdiction.

``The Police Commission has followed the procedures set forth in the law,'' Ferraro said.

The decision by Ferraro came on a day in which debate continued to rage over the Police Commission action.

The commission received a vote of confidence from former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who headed an independent panel that in 1991 recommended police reform - including the chief reappointment process.

``Without commenting on the decision itself, it appears to me that the civilian Board of Police Commissioners has faithfully and conscientiously carried out its responsibilities and that the process has worked as the voters intended,'' Christopher said. ``We owe the commissioners a debt of gratitude for undertaking this difficult task.''

At City Hall, Holden called a news conference at which he held up a wooden cross bearing a photograph of Williams with a piece of rope wrapped around the photo at the chief's neck. He also said Williams' troubles stemmed from his refusal to allow political interference in the LAPD.

``A kangaroo court met and lynched Police Chief Willie Williams,'' Holden charged. ``They brought him to Los Angeles to hang him.''

Holden's comments were criticized as inflammatory and racially charged.

``I think it's really bad taste on Mr. Holden's part if he is doing something like that, and it's not conducive to the best interests of the city,'' said Councilman Hal Bernson.

Commission President Ray Fisher called Holden's statement ``terribly irresponsible'' and ``divisive.''

The Police Commission voted Monday not to reappoint Williams, saying he lacked the vision, leadership, management skills and respect of officers to take the LAPD into the 21st century.

Holden, Goldberg and Walters asked Ferraro in a letter for a special council meeting Friday at which the police commissioners would provide their rationale for the decision and answer questions from council members.

``Given the chief's popularity and high regard among the people he serves, the commission owes the city a well articulated explanation of how they reached their decision to not rehire him,'' the letter said.

Ferraro said the commission provided ``just that'' explanation in its 22-page decision released Monday.

``The (commission) report is very thorough,'' he said.

Williams was setting up private meetings with council members to lobby for support but some council members, including Bernson, have refused to meet with him.

``It's improper for us to meddle in it,'' said Greig Smith, a Bernson aide.

Alatorre and other city officials said they are considering a proposal to get Williams to step down before his term expires on July 6 by paying him the rest of $174,000 annual salary as a consultant.

Johnny Griggs, an attorney for Williams, said no deal is on the table. Griggs said the chief is keeping his options open and still may sue over whether he was properly evaluated by the commission.

Williams brushed off questions after a speech to the Los Angeles County Peace Officers Association at the Police Academy, which was honoring the LAPD in its annual luncheon.

``I have forwarded a letter to the City Council (seeking to overturn the commission),'' he said. ``We will proceed from there. I have no further comment at this time.''

The top contenders for the chief's job, Deputy Chiefs Bernard Parks and Mark Kroeker, attended the luncheon.

``I'm going to let this process work itself out,'' said Parks, who the mayor has backed to become interim chief.

Holden called for the commissioners to resign and said he will submit a motion calling for future chiefs to be given one, seven-year term to prevent the political wrangling over reappointment.

He said he is encouraging Williams to sue the city to force the issue into the council's hands.

``They are going to have to hear it one way or the other,'' Holden said.

Holden, who has been Williams' most vocal defender, warned that the suit would shed light on allegations that Riordan, Alatorre and Police Commission members have tried to meddle politically in the department.

Alatorre and others pressured Williams to promote Cmdr. Robert Gil to assistant chief but Williams refused, Holden said.

``That's when his troubles started,'' Holden said.

Holden's accusations were denied by Alatorre and former Police Commission President Gary Greenebaum.

``It didn't happen,'' Greenebaum said.

Sources close to the chief said former mayoral chief of staff Bill Ouchi asked Williams to promote some command officers and demote others, including Assistant Chiefs Ron Banks and Frank Piersol, and the chief declined. Ouchi refused comment, saying the matter was a personnel issue.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1) Councilman Nate Holden compared Wednesday the Police Commission rejection of a second term for Chief Willie L. Williams to a hanging.

Gus Ruelas/Daily News

(2) LAPD Chief Willie L. Williams, right, speaks with assistant chiefs Bayan Lewis, Mike Bostic and Martin Pomeroy, from left, before a luncheon at the Police Academy.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News