De Los Reyes Takes Seat as Police Commissioner

Anthony de Los Reyes, a prominent Latino attorney, became Los Angeles’ newest police commissioner Tuesday, marking the first time in nine months that the beleaguered citizens panel has all five of its seats filled.

De Los Reyes, who for eight years served on the Civil Service Commission, attended his first meeting Tuesday afternoon, just hours after being confirmed by the City Council. The council approved him 13 to 1, with Councilwoman Joy Picus dissenting after saying that she wanted a commissioner from the San Fernando Valley. De Los Reyes lives on the Westside.

De Los Reyes joins the panel at a time when its power has been considerably weakened, in part by its ill-fated attempt to place Police Chief Daryl F. Gates on an involuntary leave and by a new City Charter amendment that gives the council the authority to overturn commission decisions.

In a brief interview after his confirmation, De Los Reyes said his No. 1 priority will be helping to restore the commission’s power by improving its credibility and opening up the lines of communication with the council, which has been the panel’s adversary in the controversy over Gates.

“The ultimate real power of this or any citizens commission is going to come from our credibility,” De Los Reyes said. “Obviously that credibility has been severely damaged. . . . You can pass laws from now until sundown and it’s not going to really change things unless people believe in the system.”

However, he gave few clues as to how he will approach his new job. While declining to comment on the commission’s attempt to place Gates on leave, he noted that as a former Civil Service commissioner he believes in “due process of law.”

As for whether the Police Department should actively recruit gays and lesbians--another issue before the commission--he said: “I’m not sure. But I will say that I think the Police Department should be recruiting the best possible people regardless of where they come from.”

De Los Reyes, who fills the vacancy created by the May 8 resignation of former Commission President Daniel Garcia, is the third commissioner to join the panel in the past three months. Michael Yamaki, an attorney, came on board in May. Civil libertarian Stanley Sheinbaum was confirmed in late March and attended his first meeting in April.

There has been so much turnover that the commission is left with only two members who participated in the controversial vote to place Gates on administrative leave for 60 days. Sheinbaum said he hopes the changes will help reshape the public perception of the commission.

“We’ve got three new members who have come on board now,” Sheinbaum said. “This is a new era, coming in the time following the recent turbulence. I hope that the community recognizes that this is a commission that is going to have a fresh look at things.”