HAHN, PARKS TALK COPS' WORKWEEK CHIEF BENDS TOWARD MAYOR-ELECT'S PLAN TO COMPRESS LAPD SCHEDULES.

Byline: Rick Orlov  Staff Writer

After his first meeting with James Hahn as mayor-elect, LAPD Chief Bernard C. Parks backed down Tuesday on his long-standing opposition to a compressed work schedule for cops.

Hahn, who won critical backing from the Los Angeles Police Protective League by signing a pledge to implement a three-day, 12-hour workweek within 90 days of taking office, said Parks agreed to put at least some officers on the compressed schedule in that time frame.

``We talked about the reality that the chief of police has two roles - to be very, very candid and frank about bringing information as a professional administrator and my second role is to implement public policy,'' Parks said at a City Hall news conference after their 30-minute meeting.

Hahn added: ``I promised I would see some officers on a 3-12 schedule in 90 days and I think we will be close to that.''

Parks has complained that a 3-12 program - highly popular among officers during a pilot project - would take too many officers off the street.

On Tuesday, however, he said he would wait for the results of a study on different staffing approaches and implement whatever is called for by Hahn and the new Police Commission to be seated after July 1.

During the campaign, Hahn defended the program as a way to boost morale that, in turn, could be used to retain officers and recruit new ones. Also, he said it would be implemented in conjunction with other compressed work schedules.

``I am committed to having some officers on 3-12, but it will be done so we can assure public safety,'' Hahn said.

Mitzi Grasso, president of the Police Protective League, which represents the rank and file, said the compressed work schedule would improve police service and morale.

``We hope that he (Parks) does implement it,'' she said late Tuesday. ``It's a tool that will increase coverage to the community. It will save the city money and boost morale. It's a win-win.''

Hahn's meeting with Parks on Tuesday was the first with any general manager since his election - last week he met with school officials - and he said it was designed to show the importance he places on public safety.

``I said throughout the campaign that public safety is 'Job 1' of government,'' Hahn said. ``Part of that is having a department we can be proud of and getting the job done.''

Hahn said the two also discussed efforts to prevent crime - particularly with after-school programs - and working together as they have over the years on a variety of public safety programs.

Parks also voiced confidence the two could work together in the future.

The role of Parks - with his actions during the Rampart case and a federal consent decree over the Los Angeles Police Department - became a topic during the recent mayoral election, with several candidates saying they would look closely at his performance and whether to renew his contract when it comes up next year.

Hahn, while agreeing with that general view, also offered more support for Parks than his opponents did.

The mayor-elect said the two did not discuss a proposal to have one or two members of the Police Commission serve on a full-time basis, but it is something he plans to pursue with the new City Council because it might require a change in the City Charter.

``We did discuss the importance of having a strong Police Commission committed to public safety,'' Hahn said.

Hahn said he plans to meet with as many general managers as possible over the next 11 days before he takes office to discuss his plans and goals.