....As he has in other cities before, Bratton began making good-faith gestures to the rank and file. ... Most significant, he almost immediately revamped the hated disciplinary system, calling for minor complaints to be addressed quickly by allowing a supervisor to refer such matters for dispute resolution, rather than formal investigation.

....Bratton is "the light at the end of the tunnel," said Bob Baker, president of the Police Protective League, the union representing about 9,000 current officers. "People outside this department just don't understand how dark the days had gotten here before his arrival," said Baker, whose union was openly hostile to Parks. "The man listens ... that's rare for a chief."

Bratton insists he's staying in L.A.

Bratton, who has entertained the idea of running for public office, insists he will stay for his full five-year term as chief. "I'm not going anywhere," Bratton said this summer. "I just bought a $1.5-million home. I get a pension out of this place after five years that's worth a fortune. My wife has just changed jobs. We happen to like living in Los Angeles. Why would I want to leave?"