Officials Close Application Process for L.A. Police Chief

City officials Thursday closed the application process for the job of Los Angeles police chief, but declined to disclose how many candidates have expressed interest in the position.

At least five LAPD officials contacted late Thursday said they formally applied for the post. They include Deputy Chiefs Ronald Banks, David Gascon, Mark Kroeker and Bernard Parks and Cmdr. Art Lopez. Other possible internal candidates could not be reached for comment.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Chief Lee D. Baca said he planned to submit his application, but he also could not be reached late Thursday.

Earlier this week, sources said at least eight people had applied for the five-year position. Because applications had to be postmarked by Thursday and other applications might arrive in the mail in the next few days, an official with the city’s personnel department said the final tally on the number of applicants will not be disclosed until Monday.