Los Angeles Police Chief Bill Bratton, who played a key role in initiating the reversal of Gotham’s sky-high crime rates in the ’90s, is headed back to New York — and none too soon.
Not that this city needs another top cop; NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly is doing a spectacular job on his own.
But Bratton is an able, energetic guy who no doubt will be looking once again the make his mark on the Empire State.
What to do, what to do?
Hey — how about he throws his hat in the ring for New York’s US Senate seat against Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand?
Gillibrand — who’s been all over the map on every issue she’s faced since Gov. Paterson so ill-advisedly plunked her into the job six months ago — can certainly stand a little competition.
If only to pin her down!
Alas, Rep. Steve Israel (D-LI), who’d thought about taking her on, bowed out after nudging from President Obama.
And Manhattan Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who’s also mulled launching a primary challenge, has yet to say definitively if she will — and may be having second thoughts.
Bratton says he’s going to work for a global security and law-enforcement training firm, to focus on bringing professional policing to emerging nations.
Boring.
And never mind emerging nations — New York is an emergency state, in dire need of a junior senator who’ll take a position (any position!) and stick to it.
Bratton’s got great credentials as a public servant — not only in New York, but also in LA, where he likewise shored up the police force and curbed crime over his seven-year run.
Next year’s Senate race needs a solid candidate.
Bratton should give it some thought.