L.A. Police Commission conceals the identities of 2 outside candidates applying to be next LAPD chief

The Los Angeles Police Commission today completed two days of interviews with candidates vying to be the next LAPD chief. Officials hope to select three finalists by Tuesday.

The commission, a civilian panel that oversees the Los Angeles Police Department, met with 13 applicants. All but but two were LAPD deputy chiefs and assistant chiefs.

The interviews were held at the tony City Club downtown. The commission made no effort to conceal the identities of the in-house candidates from the assembled media, but it did sneak the two outside candidates into and out of the interview room through a back hallway. When a Times reporter attempted to pursue one of the candidates, an LAPD officer blocked the hall.

Commission President John Mack defended the the decision to keep the identities of the two outside applicants concealed. He said they were sitting police chiefs elsewhere and did not want it known that they were seeking the LAPD post. Mack said he believed that it was more important to protect the candidates’ identities than to inform the public about them.

With the interviews now complete, Mack said the commission would spend the next few days deliberating and vetting candidates. Barring any major delays, he said he was tentatively planning to pass the names of three finalists on to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Tuesday. 

Villaraigosa will make the final selection, and has said he would like to do so by the time that outgoing Police Chief William J. Bratton departs Oct. 31.

—Joel Rubin

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Comments

[David]

Let one of the outsiders be Chief George Gascon (just wishing). If not, then let it be Chief McDonnell, Chief Beck, or Chief Sandy Jo Mc Arthur. No to Paysinger. He will be bad for the morale and future of the department.

[Astonished]

I think what the article means is that the two unnamed individuals come from agencies outside of the LAPD.

[lp]

Please let one of the outsiders be Sheriff Mike Hillmann, and I agree... No to Paysinger. Just no, please.

[Ed]

With Paysinger or Moore, crime will go THROUGH THE ROOF!

[F. MCDOW]

I would like to see DARYL GATES, as acting chief. GATES was the most unappreciated chief that, did more for LA than any other chief did in the history of LOS ANGELES. POLITICS marred his legacy, he was not a puppet to the city council, who themselves did not liked his police ing them. HE had no support from them or the resources, but it was expected of him to cut crime with the manpower he had, in which he did, without there help. IF GATES, were given the resources he needed as BRATTON has received, GATES would still be CHIEF. THINK about it, there might not have been a RODNEY KING incedent. LOOK, at the cost taxpayers paid, three CHIEFS later and a lawsuit, how much more did it cost, if they gave GATES the resources.WHO does the city council answer to?THIS is WHY politics should not be in police ing