End to Derision of LAPD, Area Urged

Having been the commanding officer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Bureau for a few weeks prior to the Rodney King incident, I have been painfully close to this crisis. The senseless actions of a few officers do not justify the onslaught of indignation that is being heaped upon what is one of the finest police departments in the nation. Every day throughout Los Angeles, countless lives are being saved and the community is benefiting from the crime prevention and law enforcement actions of LAPD officers.

A correlation can be drawn between the unfortunate beating of Rodney King and the beating the LAPD is presently taking from the media and certain elements in the community.

The now-infamous videotape vividly shows several bullies in uniform beating King without apparent justification while other officers, who may have stopped the beating, choose to stand by and do nothing. Likewise, people throughout Los Angeles are witnessing their entire Police Department being viciously beaten every single day by a minority of vocal bullies.

And the silent majority of Los Angeles is just standing by and watching.

It is time for all of us to stop this destructive brutality. Bullies, regardless what status they hold in the community, must not be allowed to viciously attack the Police Department in an atmosphere of hysteria. The LAPD has the fewest number of officers per 1,000 residents of any major city in the country. If the officers’ morale is crippled, the people of Los Angeles will be the big losers.

I know that the chief of police and the criminal justice system will deal decisively with the officers depicted in the videotape. I hope that the people of Los Angeles will take a stand and provide the support that the men and women of the LAPD deserve in this troubled time.

JAMES D. JONES, Commander

Commanding Officer

Support Services Bureau

Los Angeles