Gates Shifts Top Brass in LAPD Shake-Up : Police: Moves come at a time when high-ranking officers have voiced frustration over the chief’s unwillingness to retire.

In a sweeping overhaul, Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates has reassigned five deputy chiefs and two commanding officers in an effort to reinvigorate the leadership in his 8,400-officer force.

The shake-up is one of the biggest in the department’s recent history and comes at a time when its top brass has privately expressed frustration over Gates’ reluctance to step down and allow major movement to the upper ranks.

Among those transferred was Deputy Chief Glenn Levant, the department’s drug czar who has raised millions of dollars for the acclaimed anti-narcotics school program, Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE). Levant has been assigned to head the LAPD’s West Bureau, which encompasses the Hollywood and Wilshire districts.

Deputy Chief William Rathburn, whose South Bureau covers the harbor district, Watts and South-Central Los Angeles, has received high marks from community activists for what they call his sensitive approach to law enforcement. He is to be moved to Levant’s current position.

Rathburn learned only last week that he is one of three finalists for the job of chief of police in Dallas.

Gates, who is concluding his 13th year as chief, also said he expects to move one or more of the department’s three assistant chiefs “sometime this year.” Assistant chiefs, who outrank deputy chiefs and commanders, are one step below Gates.

The seven officers were told of their transfers Thursday. It is not known when they will take effect.

Gates, 64, has declined to say when he plans to retire.

News of the transfers surprised at least one member of the Los Angeles Police Commission, the civilian group that oversees the department.

Commissioner Melanie Lomax said Gates mentioned at a board meeting last month that he was planning some moves.

“As of last Tuesday, the chief had not let the commission in on his plans,” said Lomax. “One thing we did talk about was better communications between the police and the commission.”

Councilman Hal Bernson, a member of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, expressed surprise but would not comment on the shake-up.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Tom Bradley referred inquiries to the Police Department.

Gates suggested the transfers would enhance the careers of those affected.

“This is something we’ve been wanting to do for some time,” Gates said. “I really thought about each individual and their development . . . so that if they did aspire to be chief of police, and I think most of them do, they would have a better resume.

“The second reason was to bring in fresh ideas and fresh views,” Gates added. “It’s healthy, and also good for subordinates to know different bosses.”

Levant’s departure comes a year after he was investigated by the department amid allegations that he dispatched a team of narcotics detectives outside the city limits to look into burglaries at a West Hollywood hotel. The hotel’s owner had ties to two relatives of Levant.

Although LAPD sources confirmed at the time that an internal investigation of Levant was under way, Cmdr. William Booth, the department’s chief spokesman, declined to acknowledge Friday that such an investigation took place.

Gates said Levant would be on DARE’s board of directors, but Rathburn would direct the program.

Rathburn will also head the Bureau of Investigations, which includes all narcotics units.

Rathburn, while in charge of the South Bureau, gained a reputation for encouraging joint efforts between community programs and police officers.

“I have mixed emotions about it (the move),” Rathburn said. “I’ve been here three years and I thoroughly enjoy it. At the same time, I’m excited about taking on a new assignment.”

He added that the new position would make any decision about going to Dallas more difficult.

The Rev. Cecil L. (Chip) Murray, pastor of the First A.M.E. Church, expressed regret that the South Bureau will lose Rathburn.

But, he added, “I don’t think Gates can afford to squander his few creative people, so this promotion is a promotion for all of us.”

In other changes:

* Deputy Chief Mark Kroeker, currently in charge of personnel training for the department, will take charge of the South Bureau.

* Deputy Chief Bernie Parks, who currently supervises specialized detective units such as the juvenile and bunco squads, will be in charge of the Central Bureau. He will command four police divisions responsible for downtown and surrounding communities.

* Deputy Chief Ron Frankle, currently in charge of the Valley Bureau, will move to Operations Headquarters Bureau.

* Cmdr. Jim Chambers, currently in charge of the Central Bureau, will be in charge of personnel and training.

* Cmdr. Jim Jones, currently in charge of the West Bureau, will be in charge of the Valley Bureau.

Chambers said he was “very pleased” with his new assignment.

“I’ve been commanding officer in Central for five years so I’m ready for a change,” he said.