WIESENTHAL CENTER STATEMENT ON CHIEF BRATTON’S RESIGNATION

August 5, 2009

WIESENTHAL CENTER STATEMENT ON CHIEF BRATTON’S RESIGNATION

Center says, with his strong record in regards to the city’s security as well as actions against hate crimes, Bratton “set a new and higher standard for the future of the LAPD.”

“On behalf of the Simon Wiesenthal Center and its constituents and the entire Jewish community we want to thank Bill Bratton for his brilliant and effective leadership during his tenure as Police Chief in Los Angeles,” said Rabbi Abraham Cooper, Associate Dean of the Wiesenthal Center.

“Whether it was strengthening L.A.’s preparedness against a continued terrorism threat, response to hate crimes and dealing with the crisis of confidence between various constituents and the police, Bill Bratton has set a new and higher standard for the future of the LAPD.

“One key components of Chief Bratton’s legacy is in training and developing a cadre of outstanding command staff. I hope that as the Police Commission and Mayor Villaraigosa begin the process that will lead to the Chief’s successor, that they will look seriously within the ranks of the LAPD.

“I am proud to call Bill Bratton my friend,” concluded Rabbi Cooper. Cooper served on the search committee that brought Bratton to Los Angeles in 2002.

The Museum of Tolerance, the educational arm of the Wiesenthal Center, is home to the Tools for Tolerance® and Perspectives on Profiling® programs which regularly trains frontline personnel from the LAPD and scores of others from across the country.

For more information, please contact the Center's Public Relations Department, 310-553-9036.