LAPD: Panel's recommendations will go to mayor, who is expected to make a choice by Monday.

The field of candidates to head the LAPD will be narrowed today from 13 to three, setting the stage for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to make a personnel decision he said is the most important of his administration.

Following a closed-door session today, the Police Commission will present the mayor with its short list of three finalists. Villaraigosa will interview them on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and on Monday will announce his choice for chief.

"I'm looking to replace the chief with someone who understands first and foremost that they respect that we have civilian oversight of the LAPD," Villaraigosa said Monday.

"The next chief also has to believe that diversity is a strength and is willing to work with the different communities in the city. They will have to understand that community policing is a bedrock principle for how we police in the city."

The process of replacing Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton, who is leaving Saturday to become a private security consultant, was spelled out during a briefing by Deputy Mayor Matt Szabo.

After the mayor announces his nominee, the candidate will meet with City Council members and community groups, with council confirmation expected on Nov. 10.

"I think it's important that I spend the time I need to deliberate over this issue," Villaraigosa said. "I am not going to rush it on any timeline other than my own."

The Police Commission is expected to appoint an interim chief to oversee the department until Bratton's successor is sworn in.

Bratton has made no secret that he hopes his successor will come from within his command staff, whom he's called "an extraordinarily talented group of leaders." Eleven of the 13 semifinalists interviewed by the Police Commission last week come from within the LAPD.

The two other candidates head police departments in other U.S. cities. Their identities were not disclosed by the police commission.

"We wanted to respect their desire to maintain this as a confidential matter," said John Mack, president of the five-member citizens panel that oversees the LAPD.

As part of the interview process, Villaraigosa is being advised by a blue-ribbon panel that is headed by Warren Christopher, the former secretary of state who helped draft a series of sweeping reforms following the police beating of black motorist Rodney King in 1991.