CHIEF PARKS RULES OUT OFFICE RUN POLL SHOWS L.A.'S TOP COP EDGES MAYOR IN POPULARITY.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Police Chief Bernard C. Parks insisted Wednesday he has no plans to run for public office - particularly a challenge to Mayor James Hahn in three years - and wants only to win a second five-year term heading the LAPD.

``My goal is to continue and complete my first term (as chief) and also get a second term,'' Parks said during his monthly ``Ask the Chief'' show on radio station KFWB-AM (980). ``That is my only priority.''

Parks' comments came in response to a recent public opinion poll showing him with slightly more popularity than Hahn, who has come out against a second term for Parks.

``I think that across-the-board support is an indication that this is not just a South Central issue, not a Westside issue,'' Parks said. ``It is a citywide issue.''

Parks, the second African-American chief in Los Angeles Police Department history, has drawn wide support from the African-American community - which also had supported Hahn in last year's mayoral election, but has broken with him over the reappointment issue.

At the same time, Parks found himself on the defensive from one caller to the talk show, who identified himself as a 20-year LAPD veteran who felt Parks was responsible for low morale and defections among officers within the department.

``I'm doing what's best for our employees by being a leader of this department,'' Parks responded. ``I'm doing what people have asked for over the last 10 years - a more disciplined department.

``We've been asked over and over again to reform the way we go about our business and our employees have done a great job.''

Parks said he has had to sacrifice some specialized units to make sure patrol units are at full strength to respond to calls from the public.

``In looking at the whole issue of crime and what we are responsible for, the field force is always our prime concern and we want it staffed fully, even if it comes at the expense of specialized units,'' Parks said.

Also, the chief repeated that crime continues to be at 25-year lows and remains below the rate of when he took office four years ago.

Parks' future is in the hands of the Los Angeles Police Commission, a five-member panel appointed by Hahn.

The commission is scheduled to discuss the reappointment at its meeting Tuesday and Parks said he expected to see some more clarification of its plans before a final decision is made.