CONTENDERS PLENTIFUL FOR LAPD HELM.

Byline: Beth Barrett Staff Writer

Top law enforcement officials from throughout the country as well as many LAPD insiders likely will line up to apply for Los Angeles police chief after the Police Commission's rejection Tuesday of a second five-year term for Bernard C. Parks.

Top contenders - none of whom was surprised by the decision after Mayor James Hahn publicly opposed Parks - listened closely to Commission President Rick Caruso's remarks on what needs to be done to fix the Los Angeles Police Department, one of the nation's plum law enforcement jobs.

Caruso said he prefers to look inside the department for a new chief but that the commission still likely will embark on a nationwide search.

``There are pros and cons to each approach,'' said Loyola Law School Professor Laurie Levenson. ``The insider person has the benefit of being able to help with the immediate problem of morale. There's a lot of inside baseball to the LAPD. But I think they also should be open to outsiders. It is presumptuous to think only people in Los Angeles know how to implement the reforms.''

Those close to the selection process, as well as potential candidates, said they assume the LAPD's top brass have the best chance.

But some former LAPD commanders who left or retired also could be in the running, including Mark Kroeker, a former LAPD deputy chief who lost out to Parks in 1997, sources close to the process said.

Kroeker, who left the LAPD to oversee law enforcement efforts in Bosnia, now is chief in Portland, Ore. He declined to discuss the situation, saying he was trying ``to be appropriate,'' but acknowledged getting numerous calls Tuesday from Los Angeles.

Also mentioned is another 1997 finalist, Sacramento's Chief Arturo Venegas Jr., a friend of Parks. He did not return calls but has in the past questioned whether city officials seriously want an outsider.

Others with past high-command LAPD experience include Oxnard Police Chief Art Lopez and Inglewood Police Chief Ronald Banks.

Lopez left the LAPD after 28 years because he wanted to be a chief and the prospects seemed slim after Parks' appointment.

``How can you not love that organization? It's the premier law enforcement organization in the entire United States,'' said Lopez, 52.

Sources said Lopez has been among the most active lobbying for the chief's spot in L.A.

Banks did not return calls for comment.

Another possible candidate, sources said, is David Dotson, who retired from the LAPD after being among six finalists in 1992 to succeed then-Chief Daryl Gates. Dotson could not be reached for comment.

Those who remained with the LAPD when Parks took over from Willie L. Williams include three deputy chiefs: Parks' chief of staff, David Gascon: David Kalish, commanding officer of West Bureau; and Margaret York, the first woman to reach that rank. Gascon and York could not be reached for comment.

Kalish said, ``We all must realize there's a process. We still have a chief of police.''

Kalish, 48, added, however, he's ``honored'' to be mentioned among possible candidates.

``If there was to be a vacancy, I'd be a very serious candidate,'' added Kalish, a 27-year LAPD veteran.

Scott LaChasse, a well-regarded deputy chief who recently retired to take over security at Paramount Studies, has also surfaced among possible contenders.

Deeper in the ranks are Cmdr. George Gascon (no relation to David Gascon); Cmdr. Sharon Papa, the LAPD's ombudsman; and Cmdr. Jim McDonnell, who is said to be politically astute and lobbying for the job.

Civil rights lawyer Connie Rice, who has been a close observer of the LAPD selection process, said a ``former insider'' who understands the complexities of the LAPD and is committed to reform is a possible choice but that a current LAPD insider is more likely to be picked.

``This is a jingoistic department,'' Rice said. ``They kill outsiders. Willie Williams was a warm-up. There has not been enough progress in the culture to let an outsider lead them.''

Among the insiders, Rice said, Kalish is well regarded as ``fair and smart'' and Cmdr. George Gascon is viewed by many as a ``possibility.'' York also is highly regarded, but Rice questioned whether the department as a whole is prepared to ``follow a woman.''

Other top law enforcement names have surfaced, including that of former New York Police Commissioner William Bratton, San Diego Police Chief David Bejarano, Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters and Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.

Walters said he has ``closely'' followed developments, but added: ``it's very difficult for an outsider to compete with quality insiders.''

Walters said the attraction to the job is simply ``the fact it's LAPD.''

``They have to have a leader they know cares about them,'' Walters said, noting so many LAPD officers have defected to Santa Ana that officers jokingly refer to it as ``LAPD South.''

Bejarano doesn't want the job, San Diego Police Department spokesman Dave Cohen said. ``He's real happy where he is,'' Cohen added.

Baca could not be reached for comment.