Los Angeles: From Chief of Police to Chief Pontificator

At first it was a joke, and Los Angeles Police Chief Thomas Reddin found it as funny as anyone else. Wouldn't Reddin, someone had laughingly suggested, be an ideal TV newscaster for station KTLA, which recently lost its veteran anchorman? Jest or not, the idea made increasing sense to the station, controlled by Gene Autry, and to the chief himself. Last week Reddin announced he would retire after 28 years on the force to become KTLA's chief commentator.

Not Above Demagogy. Any other time, Reddin's resignation would have caused only surprise in Los Angeles. In the midst of a bitter mayoral campaign, it became an immediate political issue, with Mayor Sam Yorty, the underdog, espying an angle that might make voters forget the shortcomings of his own regime. Never one to avoid a little demagogy when cornered, Yorty had already charged his opponent, Negro Councilman Thomas Bradley, with running a racist campaign.

Now Yorty claimed that Bradley was partly responsible for the resignation of Reddin, probably the best-liked big-city chief in the country. Though Reddin would deny it, said Yorty in his pious fashion, he was really worried that Bradley, who has often criticized the police, would become mayor.

In fact, Reddin's motives were far different. Not only would his TV contract give him about three times as much money to start with ($100,000 a year v. $32,800, with $150,000 after five years and perhaps a share of the station's profits), but it would also allow him far greater freedom to say what was on his mind. And Reddin, an oldfashioned crusader who veers between conservative and liberal tendencies—with accent on the conservative—has a great deal on his mind.

"I am almost a compulsive talker," he confessed to TIME Correspondent Robert Anson last week. "I love talking with people, trying to mold attitudes, change social value systems and get people involved in solving urban problems. In one telecast 1 can talk to more people than I have in the past two years."

Would he have remained as chief and taken orders from a black mayor? "Hell, yes!" was his answer. Still, his decision to leave at this time has probably hurt Bradley, if only slightly, and the black councilman—himself a former L.A. police lieutenant—will now have the added burden of proving to many whites that he is indeed for law and order.

Next time around Reddin may be involved in the race more directly. While he thought about running this year, he has confided to friends, he decided the notion was "too presumptuous"—for the present. After four years as KTLA's chief pontificator, Reddin, now only 52, may find the idea modest enough.