Is Chief Bill Bratton headed for London?

That's what the Daily Mail says in an article about how L.A.'s top cop will help the new mayor deal with a wave of youth crime, including graffiti, fare-dodging and "antisocial behaviour." (Love the spelling.) The Brit paper drives its point home with a grim-faced, steely eyed photo of Chief Bratton, and this description:

Mr. Bratton, who is now head of Los Angeles police, oversaw reforms in bureaucracy and policing in New York which produced stunning results where crime rates nosedived and quality of life soared.

"Bill Bratton can teach us a lot about reducing crime," a Tory source said. "Obviously, he's not going to be a day-to-day adviser but he will be on the end of a phone to offer help."

Wonder what ideas and customs (capes? bobbies?) Bratton might import to the LAPD. The Daily Mail's full Bratton story is here. (And thanks to LAO for the link.)

--Veronique de Turenne

Photo: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Margaret Fitch]

Hey, don't criticise the spelling of 'behaviour". We Canadian do the same thing.

[Veronique]

No, seriously, as I said in the post, I love the spelling!

Veronique

[gary]

we have people being murdered in LA in such an amount that makes Beruit during the seventies looks safe and he is going to share this wisdom with London??? Wow now thats hubris.

[janet]

I hate to be obvious, but he hasn't done for L A what he did for New York: one reason is the army of cops in NYC compared to the 80's, but also, all of New York State has some million illegals, while L A alone has conservatively 1.5 million, with about half our population Hispanic immigrants, almost all poor and of low educations, while the middle class is gone -- therefore, our coffers are drained.

NYC also has a huge disparity between rich and poor, but at least their poor are homegrown and receptive to traditional policing. Also, with Wall Street, shopping, the Broadway theatres and other magnets for day workers and visitors, they get a lot more revenue from sales taxes, too.

[Maria]

If London wants the best its Bill Bratton. Sadly, because we have a Mayor in LA who support illegals and refuses to take a stand with them this city will only get worse and we won't be getting new recruits wanting to work in a city where the Mayor support them. Thanks to Bratton for Special Order 40. Without it no one would want to report crime and the gangsters would really take over. This city hasn't appreciated Bratton so he should go and the saying "you don't know how good you have it til its gone.

[Jerry Martinez]

I think Bratton has done an increadible job at over seeing reduction of crime in our city. We should should share the LAPD method of policing everywhere. I think London would be lucky to have Chief Bratton as a consultant. I'm all for it. We would gain from the relationship as well.