Los Angeles Fire Chief William Bamattre submitted his resignation to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Dec. 1 and steps down amid controversy stemming from an incident within the LAFD that some call a prank and others a racially motivated harassment.

In 2004, L.A. firefighter Tennie Pierce was served a plate of spaghetti laced with dog food by coworkers. Pierce, who is African-American, says that the action was racially motivated and that he was harassed after reporting it. Other firefighters called it a firehouse prank with no racist intent. Pierce brought suit, alleging racial discrimination, retaliation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

This past November, the Los Angeles City Council approved a $2.7 million settlement with Pierce in exchange for the suit being dropped. Later that action vetoed by Mayor Villaraigosa, following public outcry regarding the size of the proposed settlement and the discovery of photos of Piece himself engaging in firehouse hazing years before. Pierce’s suit now presumably will continue to trail sometime in early 2007.

In announcing his resignation, Bamattre said, "This morning I submitted a letter to the mayor informing him of my retirement. I will step down as fire chief on January 1, 2007. This was a difficult decision. As fire chief, my actions have always been guided by three tenets: what’s best for public safety, what’s best for firefighter safety [and] what’s best for the department.

“Current fire department issues have received wide spread media attention and have disproportionately required the attention of both the mayor and [Los Angeles City] Council. It has also begun to adversely impact the ability of the LAFD to appropriately address other import issues and initiatives. As fire chief, I accept the accountability and responsibility to manage whatever issues that the department must deal with. I remain resolute and confident in my ability to meet the challenges presented by these issues. As fire chief for the past 11 years, I will stand on the merits of my record and am proud of the department’s accomplishments under my leadership.

“However, I have always placed the interest of the department above my own personal interest. I am also a political realist. Over the past few days, I have come to the appreciation that these current issues have political implications beyond the scope of the fire department. I have become the focus of the debate and that is to the detriment of the LAFD. I will not allow that to continue. This is my decision and it is the appropriate time. I have spoken with the mayor, and he is in agreement.”

After commenting on points he felt should be priorities for the department and the city as it moves forward without him, Bamattre concluded, “During this period of transition, I am asking for your support and personal commitment. The support I seek is not for me personally, but rather for the future of our department. Throughout its history, the members of this department have prevailed despite many challenges. Reaffirming our collective unity in commitment and purpose, the LAFD can transform adversity into opportunity. The strength and values of the fire department are found in the exceptional people that work for the LAFD. They have distinguished themselves for over 120 years and they will continue to do so in the future."

In a later news conference held at City Hall, Villaraigosa praised Bamattre as a “class act” and a “dedicated public servant,” but said also “I intend to bring in a chief who will eliminate hazing and harassment from the ranks of our city fire department once and for all.”

On December 3, veteran L.A. firefighter Douglas L. Barry was named to serve as acting chief of the LAFD, the first African-American in the agency's history to assume the top job. Over his 31-year career with the department, Barry has served as a firefighter, engineer, battalion chief, chief of staff and assistant chief. He will take over on Jan. 1 as interim chief a while a search is conducted for candidates for a new permanent leader.