This just in: Bratton endorses Mark Ridley-Thomas

Jean-Paul Renaud reports:

Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton today endorsed state Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) in his race for Los Angeles County supervisor, a move sure to make a tense situation between the chief and his predecessor even worse.

Ridley-Thomas and City Councilman Bernard Parks, the former LAPD chief whom Bratton replaced, are in a hotly contested race for a rare open seat on the powerful board.  Supervisor Yvonne B. Burke is retiring this year.

Law enforcement unions are already behind the Ridley-Thomas candidacy. The election for the South Los Angeles district will be June 3.

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Lee Kirby/ Image of Sport / US Presswire

Comments

[Michael]

Believe me, I am no fan of Bernard Parks. He was without doubt one of the worst police chiefs in LA history with his style of micromanagement and draconian and capricious discipline that drove good officers off the job. As a megalo-maniac he has now conned the black community intio putting him on the City Council. The City has been ill served by hiim.

However, is it appropriate for an appointed official and Department head like Bill Bratton to make a political endorsement? He is not elected , but appointed. Furthermore, Department and City policy prohibits police officers from making political endorsements and getting involved in political matters. Stick to policing!

[hmakune]

Park's left in shame and was brought into public office by a small ethnic group. I hope the larger community will remember his record and not vote him into a larger area of responsiibilty.