Met chief is 'hardest police job'

Mr Bratton has in the past gone on patrol with London police officers

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner's job is probably the most difficult police role in the world, the head of the Los Angeles police force has said.

Bill Bratton, a contender to replace Sir Ian Blair, said terrorism, knife crime and politics made the role even tougher than its equivalents in the US.

The commissioner has to be "a strategist, a tightrope walker and an optimist," he told the Sun newspaper.

Mr Bratton, 61, said he was keeping his "options open" about the job.

He told the newspaper: "I have been doing this for 40 years. I have worked in two of the world's most significant cities - New York and Los Angeles - and I can safely say that, today, the Met job is probably the most challenging."

The veteran officer pointed to the combination of London being one of the world's major terrorist targets, the fact that it has been gripped with knife-crime concerns and that its police force is at the heart of a power struggle between local national government.

'Home-grown talent'

Mr Bratton has become famous for his "zero-tolerance" approach to crime and is said to be a favourite of London Mayor Boris Johnson, the Sun reported.

Mr Bratton said: "In some respects you need a multi-faceted individual who can become a combination of a cheerleader, a strategist, a tightrope walker and an optimist."

Asked about his chances for taking on the commissioner's role, Mr Bratton said: "I don't think there's any shortage of home-grown talent in the UK and I've got a great job here - but I always keep my options open."

Last week, Sir Ian announced his resignation as Metropolitan Police Commissioner - citing a lack of support from Mr Johnson.

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