WATCHDOG CHOICE PLEDGES VIGILANCE.

Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer

Former Police Commission President Deirdre Hill, the panel's choice for interim LAPD inspector general, said Wednesday she is dedicated to ensuring that the commission can exercise strong civilian oversight of the police department's handling of citizen complaints.

At the same time, police commissioners said they may take steps to clarify the role of the inspector general, hoping to address public concern that the position is not being given sufficient power, especially after the resignation Tuesday of Inspector General Katherine Mader.

``The commission needs to do some things to make it clear to Los Angeles residents that we're committed to the reform process as it is reflected in the inspector general,'' said Commissioner T. Warren Jackson.

Hill was named Tuesday as interim inspector general effective Jan. 1, when Mader will leave the post.

Mader announced her resignation after months of battling the Police Commission and Police Chief Bernard C. Parks.

While many at City Hall praised Hill's selection, others questioned her independence and noted she is a former appointee of Mayor Richard Riordan - who selected the current members of the Police Commission as well as Parks, head of the department Hill would monitor as a watchdog.

``She is a nice lady, but I question her independence,'' said elected Charter Reform Commissioner Dennis Zine, a police union director. ``It just seems the deck is stacked so much we're not going to have effective oversight. She is not going to want to step on anyone's toes.''

Dan Stormer, a civil rights attorney with the group Police Watch, also lamented the loss of Mader and cited questions about Hill's independence.

But, Police Commission members said Hill showed - as president of the commission between 1993 and 1996 - that she is not afraid to speak her mind.

``She's got her own reputation for being no-nonsense,'' Jackson said. ``She has intelligence and integrity. She understands the importance of reform.''

Added Commissioner Dean Hansell: ``She has a reputation for being a very tenacious person and someone who feels very strongly about civil rights.''

City Councilwoman Laura Chick, chairwoman of the council's Public Safety Committee, also praised Hill as a person of integrity.

Hill, an attorney who has specialized in business litigation, said she will be a strong and independent inspector general but she recognizes that the role is set up to serve the Police Commission.

``I have no question that I will be independent and I will bring to bear my observations and knowledge to assist the commission.'' Hill said. ``This is a team effort.''

Hill described the position as the ``arms and legs'' that allows the Police Commission access to the inner workings of the LAPD so that it can provide oversight.

``The goal is to maintain the public's confidence in the department by ensuring that someone is looking to make sure the community's concerns are the top priority,'' Hill said.

Jackson said Hill was a key player as a police commissioner in that panel's push for implementation of the Christopher Commission reforms recommended after the 1991 police beating of Rodney King.

``As a member of the African-American community, she comes to the job understanding the importance of police officers treating all members of the public with dignity and respect,'' said Jackson, who took Hill's place on the Police Commission in 1996.

Even so, Zine and Chick said they will press forward with hearings into whether the inspector general's role and authority needs to be clarified or strengthened.