NEW LAFD CHIEF BARRY SAYS HE'LL STOP HAZING.

Byline: RICK ORLOV

Staff Writer

Naming the first African-American to head the Los Angeles Fire Department, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Tuesday tapped Douglas Barry, the 32-year veteran who has been acting as the agency's interim chief.

The 55-year-old Barry -- who was named interim chief last December to succeed Chief Bill Bamattre -- said he agreed to stay as chief to finish his efforts to reform the agency.

"The No. 1 reason is to finish what we've started," Barry said at a news conference at Fire Station 3 in downtown Los Angeles, joined by the mayor, fire commissioners and City Council members.

In taking over the force of 1,500 firefighters, Barry pledged to continue to emphasize the need to end a long-standing culture of hazing and harassment.

"Every station I've visited, I see a commitment to what we are talking about," Barry said, adding that he has visited 50 of the city's 104 stations. "They are aware of the negative media and want to improve."

Villaraigosa said he became convinced Barry was the person for the job after the city conducted a nationwide search.

"He is the right man in the right place," Villaraigosa said.

Barry will be paid $258,000 a year. His appointment is subject to City Council confirmation.

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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