Chief backs Parks’ rival

Appearing in civilian clothes and saying he spoke only as “Bill Bratton, a resident of Los Angeles,” Police Chief William J. Bratton on Thursday endorsed state Sen. Mark Ridley-Thomas in his bid to replace Yvonne B. Burke on the county Board of Supervisors.

Ridley-Thomas’ opponent in the race, City Councilman Bernard C. Parks, has had a tense relationship with Bratton since Bratton’s 2002 arrival in Los Angeles to take over from Parks as police chief. Parks, who was denied a second term as chief by then-Mayor James K. Hahn, won election to the City Council the next year and has been a frequent critic of how Bratton runs the Police Department.

Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) and Parks are considered the leading candidates in a crowded field for the 2nd Supervisorial District. The June 3 contest has drawn a lot of attention and endorsements, and political observers are expecting a contentious campaign.

Bratton’s endorsement of Parks’ rival surprised some observers.

“I must admit, I don’t ever remember a chief of police ever endorsing against a sitting council member who controls the purse strings of the LAPD,” said Kerman Maddox, a political consultant who worked in former Mayor Tom Bradley’s administration and alongside Parks and Ridley-Thomas in previous campaigns. “This is an awkward situation at City Hall. It’s probably going to have people scratching their heads asking what the heck is the chief doing.”

Parks is chairman of the council’s powerful Budget Committee, which helps decide spending for police and other departments.

Bratton downplayed the tension between him and Parks and insisted his endorsement of Ridley-Thomas was because “he’s the most qualified.”

“I’m used to people being upset at me. That’s part of life.”

He also asserted his political rights.

“I’m not here as a police chief,” said Bratton, careful to comply with a city ethics law requiring employees to make clear that “they are acting as individuals” when making political endorsements. But, he said, he also was “conscious of my right as a citizen.”

A spokesman for Parks said the councilman didn’t back political candidates when he held the LAPD’s top job.

“In order to preserve his independence as a law enforcement professional, Chief Parks never made candidate endorsements,” said John Shallman, communications director for Parks’ campaign. “We’ll leave it to the citizens of the 2nd District to determine whether it’s appropriate or whether the head of a city department should stay above the fray.”

In backing Ridley-Thomas, Bratton said voters would get a strong leader with experience as a city councilman as well as in the Legislature. The only other time Bratton endorsed a candidate was in 2005, when he backed Alex Padilla’s successful race for the state Senate.

Ridley-Thomas has received the backing of most of the county’s unions and the Los Angeles Police Protective League. Parks’ supporters include three county supervisors -- including Burke -- and six Los Angeles City Council member, among others.

The city’s ethics law also prohibits employees from working on campaigns on city time or using city property, such as cars and computers, to support a candidate or cause.

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jp.renaud@latimes.com