Mayor Bradley on Firing Gates

In response to Glenn Bunting’s news analysis, “Mayor’s Truce With Gates Seen as Effort to Cut Losses” (Part A, April 11):

The purpose of this letter is to outline, in clear terms, my reaction to the Rodney King beating and the controversy over the Police Department.

As mayor, my job is to protect this city. We have been thrust into the midst of a storm of controversy that is unlike anything our city has ever seen. The horrors of the Rodney King beating, and the racist comments contained in computer transcripts of conversations between officers that evening, proved to me that the problems of police brutality and racism in our Police Department cannot be denied.

After giving Police Chief Daryl Gates ample time to reach what I hoped would be the best decision for the city of Los Angeles, I called for his resignation. Since our City Charter gives civil service protection to general managers, I used moral persuasion and added my voice to the chorus of calls--from The Times, Daily News and thousands from the community--for the chief to resign.

Meanwhile, the Police Commission took its separate and independent action of placing the chief on a paid administrative leave while the investigation was under way. That’s when the City Council attempted to substitute its political will for the good-faith decision of our Police Commission. Under our City Charter, the City Council does not have authority to overrule a decision by a commission. The courts will now decide the legality of this blatant grab for power on the part of the council.

The media turned the debate from the very real issues of police brutality to simply a personality dispute between the chief and myself. Public opinion clearly demonstrates the overwhelming support for both the chief to step aside and for the Police Commission’s action.

My joint statement with the police chief and City Council President John Ferraro was simply an agreement to give a rest to the rhetoric that had filled the airwaves (Part A, April 10). My opinions remain unchanged. My feeling that the chief of police should step aside remains firm. The Police Commission’s investigation of the chief will continue undaunted. And the independent Christopher Commission will make long-term recommendations about the future of the department.

The Times speculated that my office was engaging in an orchestrated campaign to remove Gates; the truth is that the outpouring of public sentiment clearly demonstrated the residents of this city want Police Department practices to change.

The Times speculated that public opinion polls or pressure from business leaders influenced my decisions in this matter; nothing could be farther from the truth.

My responsibility is to follow my personal conscience, to serve fairly, honestly and well. No matter the clamor from abroad, no matter what will be said, I know that if I can live with my conscience and feel comfortable with my decision, I will have done the right thing.

TOM BRADLEY

Mayor of Los Angeles