Like any bond measure approved by voters, there was wide skepticism if the city could deliver on its promises with Proposition Q, the $600 million bond measure approved in 2002 to build new police facilities around the city.

As he prepares to depart in October, Police Chief William Bratton said the city not only delivered on the 14 facilities promised in the measure, it was able to find enough in savings to fund improvement projects at the Police Academy and Northeast Division, and provide a new separate facility for the Metro Division with remodeling at the old Rampart Division.

Bratton said he decided to remain on the job until Oct. 31 partly to see the completion of all the facilities, the opening of the new police headquarters on Oct. 24 and the completion of his seventh year as chief on Oct. 25.

"It will mean I have participated in the groundbreaking and opening of every facility that came in on time and on budget," Bratton said.

The first station he opened was the Mission Division and the last will be the police headquarters.

"My only regret is that I won't be working out of that beautiful office with its patio," Bratton said.

There have been lots of rumors circulating about why Bratton is leaving now - among them that he was being chased out by new City Attorney Carmen Trutanich and his pronouncement of a criminal investigation into the Michael Jackson memorial service.

"Hardly," Bratton said. "A newly elected city attorney forcing out a police chief with seven years? I don't think so."

Bratton has never been known for backing down from a fight with City Council members or anyone else who has challenged him.

However, he said, one disturbing thing he has found among Los Angeles politicians is they never let go of a grudge.

"In New York, we would have slugfests, get up from the floor and go have a beer," Bratton said. "Out here, they just hold on to it."