Former NYC Police Chief William Bratton announced yesterday that he will step down from his current post running the LAPD and return to New York to work in the private sector. Bratton has been chief of police in Los Angeles since 2002 and spoke of his tenure with a sense of "mission accomplished" yesterday, telling reporters, "We succeeded in making this city one of the safest in America."

Bratton will come back to the Big Apple to become the CEO of Altegrity Inc, a private international security firm. He will focus on advising governments in several countries on how to reform and build modern police forces. Bratton acknowledged that higher pay of the private sector was a factor in his decision; he currently makes just over $300,000 as chief in LA.

The move back to New York has naturally fueled speculation that Bratton could be positioning himself to make a run for mayor in 2013. His tenure as NYC police chief from 1994 to 1996 saw the early stages of a dramatic turnaround in the city's crime rates. He considered running in 2001, but ended up supporting Mark Green. The Post points out a 2013 run could pit him against current Police Chief Ray Kelly, also rumored as a potential candidate. Yesterday Bratton would not comment on whether or not he has political aspirations in his future, only saying, "For me personally and professionally, it is the right time to move on."