EDITORIAL FAREWELL TO BERGMANN VALLEY'S TOP COP SERVED LAPD AND THE COMMUNITY WELL.

RON Bergmann's retirement this week after three decades of service will be a big loss to the Los Angeles Police Department and the San Fernando Valley.

As deputy chief for the Valley Bureau in recent years, Bergmann exemplified excellence in law enforcement. He survived the sea changes in both Los Angeles and the department by sticking to the traditional core principles of law enforcement as well as by embracing innovation and new ideas.

Bergmann was one of the few top commanders to maintain his position when Police Chief William Bratton took over the department in October 2002. And a big part of the reason he did was because Bratton realized Bergmann's value. Faced with rising gang activity, Bergmann pioneered anti-gang initiatives that Bratton liked so much that he used them as the framework for similar efforts throughout the department.

It's too bad that the LAPD and the Valley will lose such a valuable leader, but, after more than 30 years on the job, Bergmann is entitled to retire.

Luckily for the Valley and the city in general, Deputy Chief Michel Moore, Bergmann's former second in command and more recently head of the West Bureau, is taking over.

Like his predecessor, Moore has spent many years in the Valley and stands for the best values in the department. His credibility with Bratton will allow him to continue the work of keeping the Valley safe.