‘A Question of Respect’

Mayor Bradley is right: The result of the jury’s findings could have a “chilling effect on the administration of justice and public safety in the city of Los Angeles.” He means it as a threat to citizens of Los Angeles that the police might not be as diligent in their attempts to curb crime in the future. I see it differently, that the police might be more circumspect regarding our rights as citizens when carrying out their duties.

Gates has made a mockery of civil rights not only in this instance but in hundreds of others since he has been chief of police, and prior to that when he was the No. 2 man in the department. Even then, as a spokesman for the department, he justified all of the illegal actions of his men.

In two trials the jury has allowed that the evidence is valid, that the police were derelict in their handling of the situation. Instead of acknowledging the jury’s findings and as a good commander should, reprimand his men, he lashes out at the victim and makes the stupid statement that the “broken nose wasn’t worth anything and, in fact, he is lucky that that is all he had broken.” What arrogance!

The federal court, by ordering Gates to “personally pay” took it out of the hands of the city officials who said they are going to appeal. So long as Gates was personally cited to pay the judgment then he must personally make the appeal. City officials would be courting the wrath of their constituents by getting involved.

ROBERT C. SCHULMAN

Los Angeles