LAPD Chief-Apparent Bill Bratton talked a lot and talked tough last week, and he seemed to be saying what everyone wanted to hear. He said his new department was slack and inefficient. He told LAPD consent-decree dissidents, who not long ago were extremely vocal, to get out. He said he could reduce violence and cut crime at the same time. He said he would use local, instead of imported, talent to upgrade management. By coincidence, three local talents whom he mentioned by name happened to have been runner-up chief applicants — Sharon Papa, George Gascon and David Kalish. He talked about dealing with homelessness and graffiti, subjects most officials have ignored for years.
He said a lot of other things that suggested what a masterful politician Bill Bratton can be. His reception has accordingly been overwhelmingly favorable — even, since hope springs eternal, as brand-new police chiefs go in this town. And we‘re not even in the honeymoon yet — in fact, the official wedding, a.k.a. the City Council confirmation, will come Friday.