Black Community Leaders Support Chief Bratton for Second Term

June 1, 2007

Los Angeles: A group of prominent African American community leaders have announced their support for a second 5-year term of LAPD Chief William J. Bratton.

On May 26, 2007, at the Lucy Florence Restaurant in Leimert Park, numerous religious and community leaders and residents met for a private conversation with the Chief of Police.

Chief Bratton provided an overview of his law enforcement career and offered details on what he hopes to achieve if appointed to a second term. He also gave his perspective on the state of the Department, relating specific details on the topics of recruitment and terrorism awareness. He concluded with an update on the May 1st MacArthur Park incident.

Afterward, the group held a news conference to endorse Chief Bratton for a second term.

As key points for their support, the community members cited Chief Bratton’s efforts in increasing outreach efforts to minority residents and his success in changing police attitudes. The Chief thanked the assembled leaders and community members for their continued confidence in him, stating, "What you will get in the next five years is an expansion of what you got for the last four-and-a-half years."

Los Angeles Urban League Police Roundtable leader Earl Ofari Hutchinson said, "We support Chief Bratton’s reappointment. We stand behind him. He’s done a number of things that we are certainly proud of in this community."

The Youth Advocacy Coalition’s Lita Herron remarked, "We see the ethnic makeup of the police force changing to be more representative of our international city. We are very pleased with Chief Bratton’s work."

Listed below is full list of community leaders in attendance who voiced their support of a second Term for Chief Bratton:

•Earl Ofari Hutchinson, President, Los Angeles Urban League
•Cecil "Chip" Murray, Retired Senior Pastor, First AME Church
•Eddie Jones, President, Los Angeles Civil Rights Association
•Ed Scott, PHD, Educator
•Ingrid Spasser, Educator, Entrepreneur
•The Reverend Dr. Frederick O. Murph, Senior Pastor, Brookins Community AME Church
•Lita Herron, Youth Advocacy Coalition
•Lawrence Tolliver, Jr., Businessman
•Skip Townsend, Gang Intervention Specialist