Breaking News!! Deputy Chiefs Beck, McDonnell and Moore are Three Finalists to replace Chief Bratton

Who will be Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's choice to replace Chief Bratton?

The final three choices to replace Chief Bill Bratton have been selected by the Police Commission.

They are Asst. Chief Jim McDonnell, Deputy Chief Charlie Beck and Deputy Chief Michael Moore.

Already, via KNX 1070 AM, comments are being made about the racial makeup of the candidates (all the candidates are white). Second, Deputy Chief Charles Beck is the favorite. Third, why no consideration to candidates outside the department? And lastly, out-going Chief Bill Bratton surely was influential in this selection process.

Each candidate will now be subjected to an interview with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa during the remain days of this work week. Mayor Villaraigosa in the just concluded photo op/press conference, stated that he would be deliberate and inclusive in his decision making process.

** Deputy Chief Michael Downing will serve as the "interm chief" until Bratton's replacement is sworn in to office.

** LA Times story with background on the three finalists.

** LAPPL President Paul Weber "Next chief needs to be people person"

Your thoughts............................

Will LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Downing become the Acting Chief??

LAPD Deputy Chief for Counter-Terrorism, Michael Downing

The Los Angeles Times and an earlier poster here at Mayor Sam, are reporting that LAPD Deputy Chief Michael Downing has been approached by the Police Commission about assuming the role of "Acting Police Chief", between the end of Chief Bill Bratton's reign and the swearing in of the new Police Chief.

According to the Times, Downing, who runs the department’s counter-terrorism bureau, would be a logical choice since he was the only one of the Bratton’s deputy and assistant chiefs who did not apply for the top post. Downing did not respond immediately to an e-mail seeking comment.

Look for an announcement regarding the three finalist, sometime this afternoon.

Your thoughts........................

LAPD Chief Bill Bratton's "I am Leaving LA Tour" Continues as Selection of Replacement Narrows to Three

As out-going Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton continues his "I am leaving Los Angeles Tour", the search for his replacement will narrow to three candidates.

The Daily News reports that the Police Commission will today submit a list of three finalists from the field of 13 applicants (11 from within LAPD and two outsiders), to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for his final consideration.

Mayor Villaraigosa for his part, with help from an blue-ribbon panel headed by former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who also headed the efforts to reform LAPD after the Rodney King beating and the riot of 1992, will announce his choice on Monday.

The three finalists will be interview on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday respectively. One can expect that this final interview process, combine with Monday's announcement, will be stage crafted by the likes of Matt Szabo, to maximize the political benefits for Mayor Villaraigosa.

As Daily News longtime City Hall beat writer Rick Orlov reported in his "Tipoff" column yesterday, "the new executive team for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has been busy figuring out what it can do to regain lost momentum to help him in his final three years in office. A number of staff changes are expected in the coming weeks.

Most of the attention is on staff accountability, but it goes beyond his own office.

Meetings have been held with general managers to look at the services the city now performs and figure out which ones can be jettisoned to get back to the core services the city can afford.

As for Villaraigosa, the selection of the next police chief is seen as giving him a chance to continue his emphasis on law and order issues".

And who are some of the candidates worth noting as the Police Commission nears its decision on the finalists?

Dennis Romero in the LA Weekly, pens former LAPD Deputy Chief and current San Francisco Police Chief George Gascon as one of the two outsiders under consideration.

LA Times scribe Joel Rubin highlights Deputy Chief Sandy Jo MacAuthur as someone who could sway an interview panel if given the chance.

Longtime political observer and blogger Joe Scott, has it being a three way competition between Jim McDonnell, First Assistant Chief and Chief of Staff; Earl Pasinger, Assistant Chief in charge of operations; and Charlie Beck, Deputy Chief and Chief of Detectives.

Celeste Fremon at Witness LA sees Deputy Chief Sergio Diaz as a "dark horse" candidate.

Meanwhile, as the speculation builds regarding the selection of Los Angeles next Top Cop, the current one continues on in stating his opinion on the issues of the day.

Chief Bratton has a Op-ed in todays LA Times "The LAPD fights crime, not illegal immigration" . Simply stated, Bratton calls upon his successor to continue upholding the principles of Special Order 40, as this passage illustrates.

As I leave my position as leader of the LAPD, I will encourage my successor to adopt the same rigid attitude toward keeping Special Order 40 and keeping the mission of the men and women of the department focused on community cooperation instead of community alienation.

Maybe someone should read this to the family of Jamiel Shaw Jr., as illegal alien gangbanger/killer Pedro Espinosa awaits his day of judgment, and pen their opinion of Chief Bratton comments.

** Was one of the candidates for chief, responsible for this fiasco as highlighted by the officer known as "Jack Dunphy"?

** Daily News scribe Tony Castro, "Next LAPD chief could be historic selection"

Your thoughts..............................

Morning Briefs and Outtakes on the Local Political Scene

"Splitsville for Dodgers Owner's Frank and Jamie McCourt"

As the waning pre-dawn darkness gives ways to a "Dodger Blue Sky Day" in Los Angeles, Dodger fans and local observers are speculating on the future of the Dodgers franchise, in the wake of the news that team owner Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie have separated, from the LA Times.

Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie, the team's chief executive, have separated, raising questions about the potential effect of their rift on the ownership of the franchise as the Dodgers prepare to start the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies today at Dodger Stadium.

The McCourts, who have dual homes in West LA and Malibu, have not been seen together in public in recent weeks which cause speculation on the status of their marriage. During the recent playoff series with the St. Louis Cardinals, the McCourts sat in separate rows in their normal location on the field level of Dodger Stadium.

The separations of the McCourts also will have an affect on the proposed entertainment and retail complex that was to be built in the parking area beyond the outfield of the stadium. It was the McCourt's vision to revamp their Dodger Stadium property into a year-round entertainment, retail, and sports destination.

Frank McCourt, in seeking support for his plans at Dodger Stadium, has build relationships with local politicians such as County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, State Assemblyman Kevin De Leon and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who is an frequent guest in McCourt's stadium box. The relationship between Frank McCourt and Mayor Villaraigosa has grown to the point where McCourt was an invitee to water speculator and "pal of Villar". Keith Brackpool's Birthday party for Mayor Villaraigosa. Some would say that too much contact with Mayor Villaraigosa can be harmful for your marriage, who knows??

But for Jamie McCourt, if her separation from husband Frank leads to divorce, we have someone in mind for her who may have shown supposed "feelings" in the past. But that is only speculation.

** Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal reports that divorce is the final recourse and it may get nasty.

OTHER NEWS:

** File this story under the continuing "War on Domestic Terrorists". LA Weekly's Christine Pelizek has a must read on the human price of our continuing battles against street gangs. "The Assassination of Deputy Abel Escalante" details the role of the Mexican Mafia and their Avenues Gang allies in the cold-blooded murder of Los Angeles Sheriff Deputy Abel Escalante.

** "Pensiongate 09" makes its return to the pages of the "Old Gray Westside Hag on Spring Street". The Times reports that CalPERS is investigating $50 millions dollars in fees paid to Arvco Financial Ventures, headed by Alfred Villalobos. Villalobos was an Deputy Mayor for five months in 1993, during the reign of Mayor Richard Riordan.

** LA Weekly's Patrick Range McDonald reports on the efforts of LA City Councilman's Koretz, Smith and Parks, in "slicing and carving" budgetary pieces from the LAPD and the verbal retorts from out-going LAPD Chief Bill Bratton.

** Another day and a DWP water main gives away again. This time on Sunset Blvd.

** Attention Dodgers fans, because of today's game start time, it is recommended that you arrive 2.5 hours early if you have tickets. Plus, is "gridlock" coming to local sports events courtesy of Los Angeles budget woes??

** And we leave you with this. What City Council "Chief of Staff" would place calls to constituents on Saturdays and accuse them of being bloggers??

Your thoughts...........................

Noon Time Briefs and Outtakes after LAPD's Chief Bill Bratton Sudden Resignation

"I'm back!, and I need a new Police Chief"

This is turning into a busy news day on Spring Street.

** As Petra reported, LAPD Chief Bill Bratton is leaving Parker Center to find greener pastures in the Private Security sector. LA Weekly's Christine Pelisek has some background on Bratton's new employer Altegrity Inc.

Bratton and Mayor Villaraigosa will hold a Noon-time presser with the media at City Hall. It should be noted that KFI's Eric Leonard had the exclusive on Chief Bratton's decision last evening.

Press Conference Thoughts.

* Bratton and Villaraigosa engage in one last ego/backslapping, love fest only to have the "ultimate ego" in Bratton, "leave and dump" the "tainted egotist" in Mayor Villaraigosa.

* Bratton is shilling for his new employee Altegrity.

* Time for Bratton to make some bank.

* KABC's John Phillip had me laughing with his rendition of Villaraigosa's Spanish translation.

* Bratton will leave in October, he touts past Deputy Chief Gascon who recently took over the Chief position in San Fransisco. What about Sergio Diaz ?? Just a thought.

* This is one resignation that Mayor Villaraigosa was not looking forward to in his second term.

* Ahhhs are in large supply for Villaraigosa, he is having a hard time accepting that Bratton's popular "political coattails' will no longer be around to cling on.

* Villaraigosa loves butting in on Bratton's comments.

* Villaraigosa is anxious and excitable today.

* Ahhhs are more numerous in Spanish.

KABC's John Phillips is taking calls on the Bratton Resignation at 1 (800) 222-5222.

** Firefighters by the dozens pack the City Council Chambers this morning to protest cuts in services that begin tomorrow. Firefighters Union Reps and Councilman Paul Koretz are working on a deal according to the Los Angeles Times.

The city firefighters' union has offered to defer uniform allowances and payouts for sick time for the year, saying it would save approximately $4.2 million and allow the city to postpone service cuts for the month of August. Councilman Paul Koretz on Monday filed a motion to accept the offer.

** He's back!! Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has return from his Icelandic Conclave/ Party with Cadiz's Keith Brackpool, Richard Katz and other assorted hanger ons. In light of the Times confirming that it was indeed Keith Brackpool who hosted Villar and that Katz was present with rumored members of "Team Villar". What results will come from Villar's latest oversea adventure ??

A. Hangover mixed with jetlag.

B. Some new entries into Villar's Black Book (think chulitas).

C. Outline on a DWP and Cadiz Partnership ??

D. Outline on short term goals and photo ops leading up to 2012 United States Senate Run.

E. Quality time with Tonito.

F. = that F&$%in Bratton!! for screwing up my comeback plans and leaving no shadow of popular support to shade my ineptitude.

** More Villar, first thing on Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's "things to do list" was showcasing what he does best, that is shill for money, ........and pay back with favors later.

He attended a fund raiser for Connie Ross's, errrr his "Summer Night Lights" program at AEG's/ LA Live's Grammy Museum.

The location and AEG role as a co-host sparked words of protest from the likes of Eastside activist Monica Harmon according to the Times.

The arrangement with AEG has sparked complaints from one of the city's noisier activists, who has repeatedly called on the mayor and City Council to demand repayment from the company for the $1.4-million cost of last month's Michael Jackson memorial, which was held at Staples Center and L.A. Live.

"This is why they didn't ask for our taxpayer dollars reimbursed back from the Jackson event," said Monica Harmon, a public safety activist who lives on the Westside.

Villaraigosa spokesman Matt Szabo dismissed such comments, saying "at some point we need to draw a line between healthy skepticism and a sick obsession with conspiracy.

"We're talking about a program that is literally saving lives and bringing hope to communities which have been ignored for decades," Szabo added. "To suggest that there are any nefarious motives is ridiculous and disgusting."

Memo to Matt Szabo, you lowering yourself to "Chief Civic Begger" was a sick and sad moment in the history of this city and it is healthy for civic discourse to question the motives of decision making on the Third Floor.

** .......And I save the best for last, Councilman Jose Huizar is under investigation again!! Representing Jose Huizar must be the best thing to come Attorney Stephen Kaufman way (for the bottom line) since he let Antonio's cousin Assemblyman John Perez use his couch to establish residency in the 46th Assembly District.

To Cd-14 "cut and pasters", this will merit its own special thread.

Your thoughts..................

Bratton to Step Down

The LA Times is reporting that William Bratton is stepping down as LAPD chief.

Bratton is leaving LAPD to head a security firm. One has to wonder about what the real reason might be since he had three or four more years on his deal with the City.... something that hasn't surfaced yet?

Read the Times article here. Bratton is staying at post until October. New article with more details here.

Ron Kaye reports rumors that City Attorney Trutanich may have uncovered something regarding Bratton and the Michael Jackson memorial. Bratton had put his home up for sale a month ago, so the timing probably does not support the MJ Memorial rumor.