Black Officer Named Assistant Chief of LAPD

The Los Angeles Police Department’s first black deputy chief, Jesse A. Brewer, was promoted Thursday to assistant chief, a move heralded by other black officers as a major step toward affirmative action within the LAPD.

Chief Daryl F. Gates, however, told reporters that his selection of Brewer over two more senior deputy chief candidates had nothing to do with his race.

“This is not an affirmative action selection,” Gates said. “Jesse Brewer has a record that is almost too good. I have come to admire him as a man who is always there when you need him.”

Asked why a black officer has only now achieved the second-highest position in the 7,000-member department, Gates facetiously said, “Jesse just had to get older, I guess. . . . It takes a very long time for anyone to get this high.”

Brewer said he never considered his race a factor when seeking promotion. “I’m just happy I’m here,” he told reporters.

To Head Special Services

A 35-year veteran, Brewer, 66, commands the department’s South and Central bureaus, which include all police stations in what are traditionally the city’s busiest sections. As one of the department’s three assistant chiefs, he will head the Office of Special Services, directing narcotics, administrative vice, organized crime, intelligence, internal affairs and public affairs divisions.

Brewer replaces Barry M. Wade, who retired. Gates said he has not yet decided who will replace Brewer.

A native of Dallas, Brewer joined the department in 1952. Since then, he has worked in a variety of police assignments, including vice, traffic, homicide, burglary, community relations and training activities. He was promoted to deputy chief in 1981.

A genial, articulate man described by those who work for him as professional and even-tempered, Brewer has also kept busy outside the department.

In 1983, he was named by President Reagan to the presidential blue ribbon organized crime commission. Brewer also served as technical adviser to the long-running television series “Hill Street Blues.”

Brewer’s promotion brought favorable response from several black officers.

“You’ve got a lot of demoralized (minorities) in this department who’ve given up trying to get ahead because they figure it’s futile,” said one veteran detective, who asked not to be identified. “Then, you see that somebody with the skills like Jesse can get ahead and you think, well, maybe there is hope.”

Complain of Inequality

While Los Angeles police officials in 1981 formally agreed to hire more blacks, Latinos and women, many members of those groups continue to complain of inequality in the ranks.

An internal report produced in July by the LAPD’s Affirmative Action Advisory Committee concluded that a number of prestigious special assignments, particularly those in homicide, internal affairs and narcotics, have images as “white male bastions.”