EDITORIAL COMPROMISING COPS LAX-LAPD WISE TO MAKE SHARING DEAL.

THE deal worked out between the Los Angeles Police Department and the LAX Airport Police settles a long-simmering dispute that could have jeopardized public safety.

City officials were wise to work it out before the rivalry threatened actual security.

The two departments currently share responsibility for Los Angeles International Airport, which led to a power struggle over who was really in charge.

Airport officials thought their cops were the best prepared to protect LAX because officers spend their careers protecting passengers and airport facilities.

LAPD Chief William Bratton argued that his officers are better trained generally and have specialized training in areas such as crowd control, counterterrorism and disarming bombs -- skills that are essential to safety at LAX.

Both are right in a sense, and this new deal recognizes that airport police recruits meet the same standards as the LAPD and go through the LAPD academy, while requiring both departments to work in closer cooperation.