CHIEF PARKS REQUESTS 2ND TERM.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Police Chief Bernard C. Parks ended months of speculation and fueled a continued political debate when he announced Thursday night that he will seek a second five-year term from the Los Angeles Police Commission.

With chants of ``Five more years'' from a crowded room of supporters in Hollywood, Parks said he would not allow special interests, such as the Police Protective League, to drive him from office.

``It's time to have the silent majority speak out about what's right with the department,'' Parks said at a dinner held at the Sunset Room celebrating his 37th year as a police officer.

Parks, 58, cited the success in reducing overall crime during his years as chief since 1997.

``Some people could credit the Sheriff's Department or the California Highway Patrol,'' Parks said. ``But I choose to believe it was the LAPD and not the Police Protective League.''

The question of whether Parks would seek a second term has been developing for months as the police union has mounted an extensive and costly campaign to try to block his appointment.

The chief has kept supporters in suspense, holding off on his decision until Thursday night.

His formal letter requesting a second term was sent to the commission late in the day. The five-member panel, appointed by Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, now has until mid-May to make a decision on the appointment.

Earlier Hahn had continued to insist he has yet to make up his mind on whether to support Parks, and the Los Angeles Police Protective League sought support from other law enforcement groups opposing Parks.

``I have been called by people on both sides for weeks now,'' Hahn said earlier Thursday during his monthly ``Ask the Mayor'' show on radio station KFWB-AM (980). ``I'm in a no-win position. Whatever I do, I will upset someone.

`'And, like I've said, I'm not going to be influenced by polls, surveys or political pressures. Since I can't make anyone happy, I'll have to do what I think is in the best interests of the Police Department and the city of Los Angeles.''

The difficulty for Hahn is that in his election last year he was backed strongly in the African-American community - where support for Parks' reappointment is strong - as well as by the Police Protective League.

Hahn said he won the PPL's backing because of his support for changes in the work schedule and disciplinary system.

``I never told them I would make a decision on the chief until I had a chance to talk with him,'' Hahn said. ``It made quite a number of them upset.''

In recent weeks, the mayor has heard from African-American leaders, particularly Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, who is a strong Parks supporter.

At the same time, the police union has stepped up its pressure, most recently with a survey of its 8,100 members. An overwhelming majority said they had no confidence in Parks.

In addition, the Police Protective League has been soliciting help from other police organizations in the areas, as well as from retired LAPD officers.

In a letter to retirees, PPL President Mitzi Grasso wrote that the union believes ``Parks has been a disaster for the residents of Los Angeles.''

Grasso asked the retired officers to send letters in support of replacing Parks and solicited contributions to wage the campaign - saying the PPL wants to raise $1 million for its effort.

The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs Inc. sent the Police Protective League a letter in support of its efforts to replace Parks, saying the chief has lost credibility as he sought support from ethnic groups to keep his job.

Also, the deputies union sent out a letter to members of the Police Officers Association, asking them to join with the PPL in seeking Parks' ouster.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

(color) PARKS