Hahn fires back *

Mayor Jim Hahn came out swinging yesterday against Bernard Parks, the police chief he essentially fired in 2001 who's now running against him from a safe seat on the city council. Parks' "tenure as police chief was a failure," Hahn said, citing a higher crime rate and low cop morale, including an exodus of officers from the department. Hahn argues that has all turned around under the chief he appointed, William Bratton. Parks began the skirmish this week by calling for hearings on the climbing murder rate, and on Wednesday attacked one of Hahn's pet programs: the three-day work week for officers that the police union demanded. Also: Three of the candidates — Parks, Bob Hertzberg and Richard Alarcón — debated the housing issue yesterday. Debate stories in the Times, Daily News, Breeze. Audio via KPCC.

* Also: Hahn promotes his housing gains (DN)