L.A. Police Chief Quits

In an unexpected move, LAPD Chief William J. Bratton is stepping down from his post Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times reports. Bratton, credited with drastically improving the city's crime rates since assuming the position of police chief in 2002, relies heavily on crime data and a computer mapping system to pinpoint areas of L.A. that require more policing. According to sources, Bratton will leave the job more than three years early to head a private security firm, saying he's confident that the police department will still improve without him. "If I left tomorrow, this would continue after I'm gone," he told the Los Angeles Times last year. Insiders close to Bratton—including his boss, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa—allegedly knew nothing of Bratton's intent to leave his job.