Controversy Over Gates

Peter LeRoy Haviland’s denunciation of those supporting Daryl Gates is disingenuous, to say the least (Commentary, April 12). He begins his criticism at the point after the Police Commission has already acted, and then cries foul at those who were unwilling to believe that the commission acted properly. He should have begun his story a few days earlier.

Haviland accuses Gates of political maneuvering to reverse the commission’s ruling, but is strangely silent about Mayor Tom Bradley’s maneuvering to install new members on the commission in time to secure votes to suspend Chief Gates. He applauds the commission for following Section 78 of the City Charter, but conveniently ignores the fact that its action was carried out without investigation and without bringing any charges. His charge that “threats of political exposure” were used by Gates to garner City Council support is an outrageous insult to the integrity of that council.

Clearly, Gates is not being tried for what happened to Rodney King, but for personal grudges accumulated in his 13-year tenure as police chief. I’ll leave it to others to decide whether he should stay or leave, but as long as the hysteria to have him removed prevails, Los Angeles will more and more become the laughingstock of the country.

WILLIAM S. LASOR JR.

Corona del Mar