Los Angeles police chief will receive a high honor from Britain's Queen Elizabeth II for a law enforcement career that has redefined policing, the city's police department announced Thursday.

The Queen will bestow on William Bratton the honorary title of Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, which is one step below a knighthood.

British consul-general in Los Angeles Robert Pierce said Bratton revolutionized policing as a profession over his 39 years in law enforcement and he has shown that smart policing can reduce crime.

Bratton had served as New York City police commissioner before being appointed as Los Angeles police chief in 2002.

"I accept it on behalf of the men and women serving the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the New York Police Department whose work I get to talk about and herald. The honor means quite a lot to me," Bratton said.

Pierce said that it is rare for Americans to receive this honor, which was created by King George V nearly a century ago to recognize extraordinary achievements that benefit Britain and its people.

Bratton deserved the award for fostering a close working relationship with British police, he said.

Meanwhile, Bratton was unanimously elected new president of the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCC), an organization of police chiefs representing the largest urban police departments in the United States and Canada, according to the LAPD.

"It is an honor to represent such a constructive organization of law enforcement colleagues. Collectively, the value and effectiveness of the MCC has continual and significant impact on law enforcement worldwide," Bratton said.

Source:Xinhua