What a difference seven years makes.

When outgoing Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton alluded last week to the “frosty” reception he received from Black community activists when he first accepted the post, it would have been quite a stretch to imagine the lovefest now greeting his departure.

But in the aftermath of Bratton’s Aug. 6 announcement that he was leaving the LAPD to enter the private sector, that is the overwhelming reaction that greeted inquiries by The Wave this week.

Sister Lita Herron of the Youth Advocacy Coalition said she laughed and cried when watching last week’s press conference at City Hall.

“When we went in to meet him for that first time it was like we were on an iceberg,” recalled Herron. “The LAPD was considered to be effectively operating a death squad with a target on every Black male’s back. That’s the kind of hatred we held for the department. But by the time that meeting was over I actually came out smiling because I was encouraged by what he had to say.”

She added: “What I like about the chief, and what some people don’t like, is his bluntness and that East Coast smart mouth. Well, it’s something I respect. I don’t care if you have a smart mouth, just tell me the truth.”

Herron said Bratton told them the truth in terms of what he was going to try to do to reform the department and added that “slowly, but surely,” they began to see changes.

“I can say very clearly we have seen the reforms he implemented,” continued Herron. “There is more control [of] officers and a lot more response to the community when we have issues. Crime is down significantly and the department is now a more professional and effective force.”

Royce Esters, president of the Compton-based National Association for Equal Justice in America, agreed. “I was shocked when I heard because he had another two years,” said Esters. “But I think he’s done a very good overall job at reducing crime and community policing. I’ve talked to him and he gets right in your face and tells it like it is. Of course, there are still issues that remain, especially with racial profiling, but that’s a problem with a lot of police departments in America.”

Earl Ofari Hutchinson, of the Los Angeles Urban Roundtable, suggested that Bratton made a calculated move to leave “on top.”

“It was a good move on his part,” said Hutchinson, who cited budget and economic challenges on the horizon. “You don’t wait [until] things start falling apart and spinning out of control. You’ve defined your legacy as a man who turned around a troubled department. Looking ahead you can see possible clouds on the horizon, budget cuts, a department that’s going to have to fight the mayor and City Hall. The money’s not there, you’re going to need to fund replacements and while crime is down now, next year it may start rising, especially in these hard economic times.”

Eddie Jones, president of the Los Angeles Civil Rights Association, said he would miss the chief’s personal touch.

“We’ve had really good relations with Bratton and I worked hard to help him get back into office,” said Jones. “He gave me his personal cell phone number and I would wish him ‘Happy Birthday, Happy Christmas.’ It’s a terrible loss because he did a lot in bringing the community together and making sure there were more African-Americans in powerful positions.”