Bratton appointment back on front burner

Now that Police Chief Bill Bratton has made his initial report to the Police Commission on the May Day melee, look for that panel to once again get on track of discuss the chief's reappointment to a second term.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa told reporters on Tuesday that while he still wants a more detailed accounting of what happened at MacArthur Park, his support for Bratton serving a second five-year term has not wavered.

"He is the best qualified to be chief," Villaraigosa said. "I expect the Police Commission will now be acting soon to make that appointment."

The panel had been set to push through the appointment until the problems developed at MacArthur Park and they have put the decision on hold until Bratton completed his preliminary assessment.