Bratton's travels questioned

Internationally praised for crime-fighting tactics that have driven violence to historic lows in Los Angeles, globe-trotting LAPD Chief William Bratton is better known among the rank and file simply as "A.L." - absentee landlord.Rachel Uranga in the Daily News.

So far this year, Bratton has been out of town 71 days, including to give a lecture at Harvard University, attend a conference in London and appear at a police graduation in Las Vegas.

A darling of law enforcement circles and a rumored candidate for the head of Scotland Yard or Homeland Security under President-elect Barack Obama's administration, many grumble that the chief is simply not around during major crises in the city and too busy politicking.

"That amount of travel certainly raises eyebrows. If he's getting things done that's good. But a lot of travel is susceptible to abuse. Whether it's occurring at this point we just don't know," said Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.