Facts, Figures and Reactions : Reaction to Report

“If he really cared about this department and this city, (Gates) would announce tomorrow that he will step down. . . . The problem with this kind of report is that someone reads this, puts it in the drawer and it collects dust. Our pledge is to try to the best of our ability to see that this is implemented.”

--Ramona Ripston, executive director, ACLU of Southern California

“The thing that I think is most compelling about this report is the vindication that it brings to the minority community (after) years of compliant suffering, knowing that there was a racist, brutal element of the department and not being able to prove it or have public acknowledgement of it. . . .”

--Police Commissioner Melanie Lomax

“Until I’ve had the opportunity to review the entire report, it would be inappropriate for me to comment. . . . I’m sure that the commission’s report is a very thorough and objective evaluation based upon the limited time available to them.”

--Sheriff Sherman Block

“The message is that without civilian oversight, the Police Department can run amok. . . . Every major problem that has risen in the Police Department was because of a lack of oversight.”

--Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky

“It’s raised as many questions as it supposedly answers. . . . I don’t know if it will help or hurt our case. It seems to describe a Police Department consistent with actions of these officers, but casts it in such a negative light it’s hard to tell.”

--Patrick Thistle, co-counsel for Officer Laurence M. Powell

“The Rodney King beating case could not have occurred if the LAPD had screened its members for racial bias, screened out the excessive-force, badge-heavy types that apparently snuck into the uniforms of legitimate police officers on March 3. While we all pray this will not happen again, Mr. King and I fear it will unless the changes suggested by the Christopher Commission are implemented immediately.

--Steven Lerman, attorney for Rodney King

“The report discusses the siege mentality in what seems like a completely one-sided way. There is nothing in there acknowledging the fact that it is hard to be a policeman, dealing with criminals. . . .

--Paul DePasquale, lawyer for Officer Timothy Wind

“It underscores the need for a change of venue (for the Rodney King beating trial). “

--John Barnett, lawyer for Officer Theodore J. Briseno

“The commission’s report has been something that the city has needed for a long time, long before Rodney King ever was beaten. “

--James Jordan, attorney for George Holliday, who taped the beating