REACTION MIXED ON CHIEF SUPPORT, ANGER, DISAPPOINTMENT VOICED AFTER DECISION.

Byline: Harrison Sheppard Staff Writer

Reaction to the Police Commission's decision Tuesday to deny Police Chief Bernard C. Parks a second term ranged from anger in the African- American community to elation from the police union and other critics.

Leaders of the African-American community had lobbied the commission hard to keep Parks and were devastated by the decision although it wasn't unexpected given Mayor James Hahn's public opposition to the chief.

``I believe it's a sad day for the nation and, in particular, a sad day for the city of Los Angeles because a travesty of justice has been committed,'' said Rev. Frederick O. Murph of Brookins Community AME Church in the Crenshaw District.

``We had been calling for an open process all along. It's apparent why (Police Commission President) Rick Caruso and the other commissioners did not want an open process - because they did not want the public to hear what an outstanding job Bernard Parks did over the last five years.''

The Police Protective League had fought equally hard to dump Parks, saying he had created a disciplinary system that is unfair and harsh, causing morale to drop and officers to abandon the department.

``This decision is the first of many steps toward rebuilding the LAPD,'' the 8,600-member union said in a written statement. ``With the Police Commission's decision, we are on our way toward selecting and establishing new leadership and implementing necessary reforms that will return strength to our department and make Los Angeles a safer place for all.''

While Parks said he would appeal to the City Council, several council members doubted he could get the 10 votes out of 15 needed to prevail.

Council President Alex Padilla, who did not take a position on Parks' reappointment, said the commission's decision should be respected.

``The Police Commission has done its job,'' said Padilla, who represents the northeast San Fernando Valley. ``We must now move forward and remain focused on the law enforcement issues most important to the residents of Los Angeles: to fill vacancies in the LAPD, to continue ongoing police reform efforts, and to work together to provide the highest possible level of public safety throughout Los Angeles.''

Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski, who chairs the council's Public Safety Committee, said she had ``very mixed emotions'' about the decision, especially given Parks' accomplishments and dedication to the LAPD.

``It is truly a sad day for the city of Los Angeles,'' she said.

Among rank-and-file officers, the reaction was mostly positive.

At the Foothill Division, officers were upbeat as news of the decision filtered down.

``In my opinion, the consensus of policemen is, 'We're glad he's gone,''' said Officer J. Levey, who manned the front desk. ``He had some good points and bad points. I was glad he was a disciplinarian, he just wasn't fair about it. There's more than one set of rules.''

Sgt. Edward Pape at the West Valley Division said he liked Parks but would continue to do his job no matter who is chief.

``The worst thing in the world is for any organization to air their dirty laundry before a decision is made,'' Pape said. ``We are a very proud organization with a very rich history. We're only going to get better.''

The American Civil Liberties Union, which did not take a stand on Parks' reappointment, criticized the commission for its closed-door process.

``The Police Commission has done a great disservice to the people of Los Angeles by refusing to open the meetings to the public,'' said Ramona Ripston, executive director of the ACLU of Southern California.

The Police Commission has defended its decision to meet in closed session because of personnel issues that were expected to come up, including cases of police corruption.

Valley activist Page Miller said she supported the commission's decision because of Parks' action to dismantle the popular senior lead officer program, and his reluctance to restore it under orders from former Mayor Richard Riordan and Hahn.

``Chief Parks has only himself to blame,'' said Miller, who co-chairs Save Our Senior Leads. ``He was given fair warning on community policing and a number of other problems in the LAPD, and he did nothing.''

But on the streets of African-American communities in Central Los Angeles, there was mostly disappointment.

``They totally made a bad decision,'' said Jamaal Walter, 19. ``He's done a great job in the past five years. I think the only reason they took him out of office is because they don't want an African-American chief in the LAPD.''

``You entrust your faith in the system that does not govern by merit but by politics and special interests, be it Anglo or African-American,'' said Jamaar French, 48, an accountant and lifelong resident of Central L.A.: ``This is a great disservice and injustice.''

Staff Writers Troy Anderson and Dana Bartholomew contributed to this story.

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Danny Bakewell, president of the Brotherhood Crusade, prays with supporters of Police Chief Bernard C. Parks on Tuesday at Parker Center before the Police Commission announcement.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer