The police chief credited with slashing crime in New York and Los Angeles would be willing to take charge of London's Metropolitan force, the Times reported Wednesday.
The British government is reported to be keen on bringing “supercop” Bill Bratton to the capital on the back of his success in dealing with gang crime and he is widely tipped to take the country's top policing job.
“I've had the privilege of leading the two police departments in the US that have that international impact and that is something that is part of my interest in the Met, the impact of things you do in that department reverberates well beyond the immediate area of responsibility,” he said in comments reported by the Times.
Interior minister Theresa May is expected to clear one obstacle next week when she announces plans to allow senior officers from overseas to become chief constables.
“In the British Isles the only job that interests me would be the Met because of the affection I have for London and for the Met and because of the unique circumstances of the Met's position -- policing the city, providing security for the Royal Family and the counter-terrorism responsibilities,” he said.
“The Met has a unique position in all of law enforcement, there is no equivalent in the US, and that has always been one of the attractions.”Bratton, 65, currently runs his own law enforcement consultancy in New York.
Prime Minister David Cameron turned to Bratton for advice on dealing with gangs in the wake of the London 2011 riots.