LAPD Top Cop Finalists Announced
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Tuesday announced the final three candidates to replace outgoing LAPD Police Chief William Bratton:
- Deputy Chief Charles Beck
- Asst. Chief Jim McDonnell
- Deputy Chief Michel Moore
The finalists were chosen unanimously by the Police Commission after a three-and-a-half hour closed- door meeting Tuesday afternoon, said commission president John Mack.
Chief William Bratton is leaving at the end of the month for a job in New York.
Villaraigosa plans to interview each of the three finalists at his official residence, Getty House. He will meet one candidate Wednesday, another Thursday, and the third on Friday, said the mayor's deputy chief of staff, Matt Szabo.
Villaraigosa's schedule for those three days was cleared "so if he wants to spend the whole day with the candidate he's free to do so," Szabo said.
Before conducting the first interview, Villaraigosa plans to consult with an advisory group composed of retired federal judge Lourdes Baird, human rights activist Stewart Kwoh, legal expert Ron Olson, civil rights activist Connie Rice, and former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, who will serve as chairman. Villaraigosa will meet with the advisory group again after the last interview.
Szabo said the mayor plans to spend the entire upcoming weekend trying to choose the next police chief. If he does make a choice, he will announce it during a news conference at Getty House on Monday.
Also Tuesday, it was announced that Deputy Chief Michael Downing will serve as interim police chief.
