L.A. Cop

What irony! On Page 1 of Metro is a story of an extraordinarily talented and dedicated black LAPD officer who is battling a Board of Rights hearing (and possible month’s suspension without pay), for yelling at his white captain for burglarizing his car.

Then on the letters page is Chief Daryl F. Gates’ “recruiting piece,” which boasts of 1,128 blacks, 1,772 Latinos, 1,068 woman and a motto that LAPD officers “come only in one color--blue.” It would seem, however, that a few of his staff are green--apparently with envy. Could it be that a black officer is accepted in the department as one of L.A.’s finest as long as he keeps “his place” and doesn’t garner too much personal recognition?

Since McGill admits to losing his temper and yelling at his captain--who steadfastly denies the car burglary--it will be interesting to see how the chief and his Board of Rights view captain-bashing by this black officer in comparison to perjury committed by a white sergeant.

GEORGE V. DENNY III, Sherman Oaks