Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton says he's stepping down after a seven-year tenure in which he instituted major reforms of the once-scandalized police department.

Bratton announced Wednesday he is leaving Oct. 31 with three years left in his second five-year term.

The chief says that when he came to Los Angeles, the department was a troubled organization in a troubled city, but now is the "right time" to leave.

A judge recently released the department from eight years of oversight by the U.S. Department of Justice, which had alleged a long pattern of abuse.

Bratton says he will work for Altegrity Inc. of Falls Church, Va., a global security and law enforcement training firm, and will focus on bringing professional policing to emerging nations.