BOSTON -- With less than one week to Election Day, the Boston mayoral race has taken on a testy tone.

NewsCenter 5's Janet Wu reported that the camps of Mayor Tom Menino and challenger Maura Hennigan exchanged barbs on everything from public safety to City Council politics.

Hennigan suggested during a half-hour interview that if she is elected mayor she would replace Boston Police Commissioner Kathleen O'Toole, calling her performance to date "sadly disappointing."

"We had another tragic death due to the unpreparedness of Kathleen O'Toole and the mayor of the city. Clearly, we do not want another death," Hennigan said. "I will evaluate her performance when I become mayor. But what I will be asking for each and every department head to tender a resignation and then to be evaluated individually on their performance. It will be based on each of their performances."

Menino, appearing at a press conference with O'Toole at about the same time, admitted mistakes were made but defended O'Toole's handling of the melee that resulted in the death of Victoria Snelgrove.

"Kathleen O'Toole will be police commissioner when I get reelected," Menino said. "As long as she continues to do the job she is doing."

Hennigan also attacked the mayor for his political involvement in other races. When asked who she would like to see replace her on the City Council, Hennigan would not respond.

"Unlike the present mayor, I will not get involved in a City Council race," Hennigan said. "I want to collaboratively with the City Council as a 24-year member of that body, but I will not run candidates against them."

Menino suggested that wouldn't match her past actions.

"Maybe three campaigns ago, Councilor Hennigan came to me to ask me to help her get reelected," Menino said.

But Hennigan later responded by laughing, saying she had never asked Menino for help -- nor would he have given it.

Hennigan also said if elected, she would push to once again elect the school committee.

Menino calls that a big mistake since a political governing body usually attracts people with aspirations of running for higher office instead of educators and concerned parents.

Hennigan however, insisted elected school committee members are more responsive to constituent complaints.