Supporters Give Gates a Rousing Welcome at Work

In a show of support that brought tears to the eyes of Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates, hundreds of Police Department officers and civilian employees lined the corridor to the chief’s office as he arrived for work Monday, clapping, waving yellow ribbons and chanting, “Gates must stay!”

The greeting was intended to give the embattled chief an emotional lift as civil rights leaders and other public figures--from Jesse Jackson on the left to conservative columnist George Will on the right--have called for his resignation over the police beating of an unarmed motorist.

Meanwhile, a few blocks away, district attorney’s investigators were pressing ahead with their criminal probe into the videotaped attack on Altadena resident Rodney G. King. After the indictment last week of four LAPD officers on felony assault charges, authorities are now gathering evidence for a possible case against 11 other officers who watched but did not intervene.

But at Parker Center, the Police Department’s downtown headquarters, the mood was festive. Gates, looking a bit like a triumphant politician, beamed as he made his way along the sixth-floor corridor, stopping to exchange handshakes and hugs with employees, one of whom presented him with a dozen red carnations.

“I support him wholeheartedly,” said civilian employee Cookie Longacre after handing Gates the bouquet. “Like the rest of the department, I care a great deal for him. He needs to know that people are behind him on this.”

As he entered his corner office, Gates spotted his longtime secretary, Mary Miller, wiping tears from her eyes. Then his own blue eyes grew watery.

“Well,” the outspoken chief later declared, “this is probably the first time in my entire life that I’ve been speechless. I did not expect this. I’m just overwhelmed by it.”

The event was orchestrated by public relations man Michael Sands, who said he was contacted Sunday by high-ranking Police Department officers and civilian employees--as well as workers in other city departments--who wanted to surprise the chief with a show of support. Sands called it a “grass-roots” effort. He would not name his clients.

The greeting capped a weekend during which Gates received similar shows of support. On Friday night, at a dinner for police reserve officers during which entertainer Tony Orlando performed, Gates was serenaded by one of Orlando’s backup singers. The song: “That’s What Friends Are For.”

On Sunday, Gates was honored with a “Medallion of Merit” award at the annual black-tie St. Patrick’s Day dinner of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Los Angeles, held at the Beverly Hilton.

Gates was among 40 dignitaries, from former Gov. Edmund G. (Pat) Brown Sr. to retired USC chancellor James H. Zumberge, seated at the head table. Each received a polite round of applause except Gates, who was given a rousing standing ovation by many in the crowd of 1,000.

“I find this to be an insightful night already,” Gates said in accepting the award. “From what you’ve given me here, you are certainly the friendliest sons I’ve seen in a long time--certainly far different from the group that came to see me at headquarters the other day.”

The remark was in reference to last Thursday’s Police Commission meeting, during which hundreds of angry residents demanded Gates’ resignation.

On Monday, at an impromptu press conference, Gates vowed once again not to step down and then took a few potshots at those who have called for him to do so, among them San Jose Police Chief Joseph D. McNamara and U.S. Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.).

Of McNamara, Gates said: “I think he’s a damn oddball.”

As for Biden, who was caught in a plagiarism scandal during his 1988 presidential campaign, the chief remarked sardonically: “Joe Biden probably heard it said somewhere else and is repeating it.”