EDITORIAL BRATTON'S CALL NEW COMMAND STAFF WILL SHAPE FUTURE OF LAPD.

IN assembling his new command staff, incoming chief William Bratton has his first chance to significantly change the face of the Los Angeles Police Department.

The reorganization also allows Bratton, an LAPD outsider, to draw upon the experience of some of those who have served long, distinguished careers within the department.

Two key factors are working in Bratton's favor. The first is that Assistant Chief David Gascon intends to retire, as do a number of other top cops. Those retirements should create plenty of openings for Bratton to fill with like-minded reformers committed to his vision of a new LAPD.

Second is that Mayor James Hahn, despite having taken a heavy-handed approach to picking a new chief, is apparently giving Bratton free rein to assemble his own crew. Thus, for the time being anyway, at least this part of the chief's duties will go unpoliticized.

That's good news for Bratton and all of L.A. The LAPD is in desperate need of major reform unimpeded by careerism or politics.

Now Bratton has the perfect opportunity to deliver it.