More Cops on the Beat

Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates wants more policemen on patrol and he wants the patrols to include administrative and planning officers, narcotics and vice officers, senior aides and other upper-echelon cops, as necessary.

So he has ordered desk-bound officers to leave their offices, don uniforms and put years of experience to work in squad cars or on foot patrols for a few days or nights a month. The brief reassignment is reasonable, considering the city’s great needs and the shortage of uniformed officers, but it’s not reasonable to the union.

The Police Protective League has resisted changes in work hours without negotiation. The union has persuaded a judge to issue a temporary restraining order against unscheduled changes, except in emergencies like riots or earthquakes; the ruling was converted to a preliminary injunction for 45 days. That ought to give the union and the department adequate time to come to an agreement.

Police officers are entitled to advance notice of any change in hours, barring an emergency, but the chief also needs a little flexibility to ensure adequate police protection. LAPD, a force of 7,900, is dwarfed by the large population and massive geography it must cover. New York City has four times the number of cops and Chicago has twice as many. Although the LAPD stretches uniformed resources by using civilians for clerical, budgetary and some administrative work, there are not enough officers on patrol to protect and defend citizens and their property.

Despite the union’s protest, many policemen on office duty are willing to serve a public that cries out for a greater police presence. Many ranking officers are ready to suit up and spend a couple of days on patrol, to make arrests or provide assistance as the third person in a squad car or work a foot beat. That certainly was the case in Hollywood on Halloween.

Police were caught off guard last year when a crowd estimated at 100,000 went on a Halloween rampage. In anticipation of a repeat performance, Gates decided to deploy desk officers, a decision that prompted union opposition and the court order. After the court ruling, the LAPD bolstered the routine patrol with extra officers, and the chief requested volunteers from desk jobs. About 100 responded. The streets were quiet.

Police officers, no matter what their rank, are public servants. All have uniforms. All serve on the same team regardless of their current assignment. Chief Gates is right to deploy more officers when and where they are needed--in uniform, and on patrol.