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 LOS ANGELES (AP) - William Bratton was tapped to lead a Los Angeles Police Department shamed by scandal and to win public trust by stamping out crime in the gang-ridden neighborhoods most distrustful of police.
Five years later, Bratton — among the nation's most notable men in blue — is up for another contract and on the offensive with a public shocked by images of police violently clashing with protesters Tuesday at an immigration rally.
Police were videotaped using batons and firing foam rubber rounds at protesters and reporters. Bratton, who has worked hard to seduce the media with his blunt Boston brogue, said the use of force occurred while officers were facing off a group of 50 to 100 "agitators" who were trying to provoke police by throwing rocks and bottles.
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