HAHN QUESTIONS PACE OF LEAD-OFFICER REVIVAL.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Concerned about the pace of reinstating the Los Angeles Police Department's senior lead officer program, Mayor James Hahn called Tuesday for an audit of the revived program in the face of a shortage of officers.

In a letter to the Police Commission, Hahn called senior lead officers, or SLOs, successful in working to reduce graffiti, vandalism, burglary and other community-policing problems.

``In the last two years, however, the ... program has suffered setbacks as the department attempted to restructure the focus of the SLOs and then, under community pressure, finally reinstated the program,'' Hahn wrote. ``Given its past success, the SLO program deserves our support.

``I am concerned, however, about the department's capability to adequately staff the program because of the LAPD's recent problems recruiting and retaining officers.''

The LAPD last month reported that the number of sworn officers dipped below the 9,000 level - nearly 1,000 officers fewer than the department is authorized to hire - for the first time in six years.

As a result, the mayor said he wanted to determine how well the department is acting in keeping the SLO program fully staffed.

Cmdr. Sharon Papa, LAPD spokeswoman, said that the SLO program remains a top priority for the department and that Chief Bernard C. Parks has ordered officers assigned from other units to fill the slots.

``Also, this is a new mayor and a new Police Commission, and it's probably a good idea to brief everyone on where we stand,'' Papa said.

Police Commission President Rick Caruso endorsed the Hahn request and said the commission wants to make a major review of LAPD hiring procedures.

``I think the SLO issue is critical and deserves our time and attention,'' Caruso said. ``The bottom line on all these issues facing us really gets down to morale, recruitment and retention.

``We are taking eight to 10 months to hire someone in a world where we are competing with other agencies. I have asked the chief to give us a report to see how we compare. I can't imagine anyone waiting eight or 10 months to take a job.

``And it's ridiculous to think you can run an effective organization if it takes that long to hire someone.''

Police morale has been an issue for the past two years. Attrition rates have soared, and the department has been unable to hire enough new officers to fill vacancies. Hahn also has embraced the concept of a flexible work schedule, including a compressed workweek with three 12-hour shifts for officers.

Page Miller and Sandy Munz of Save Our Senior Lead Officers, a San Fernando Valley-based group that championed the program, supported the mayor's proposal.

``What we've seen is that some divisions are doing better than others in restoring the senior leads and making sure they can do their job,'' Miller said. ``It seems to be working best in the Valley and the Hollywood area, but some of the other divisions have not fully implemented the program.''

Parks and former Mayor Richard Riordan agreed last October and again in April to re-establish 168 officers as senior leads at least four days a week.

The Los Angeles Police Protective League filed a grievance against the department last month complaining the department was purposely delaying the revival of the program.