Now Is the Time to Begin LAPD Reform : Police: Chief Gates’ defiance is calculated to divide the community and interfere with the orderly transfer of power.

It is difficult to recall an investigative panel utilized by any branch of national, state or city government that can match the Christopher Commission in talent, integrity and thoroughness. The contribution of its work goes well beyond the Los Angeles Police Department. Its report will be an important part of understanding the police function in this country for decades to come. Of equal importance, its findings have had a deep and powerful psychological impact on this community and have helped restore the public’s confidence in city government.

The willingness of the commission to tackle the most difficult issues has conveyed a message to the rest of America that it is essential that the mayor’s office, the City Council, the Police Commission, the Police Department and the people join forces to implement the Christopher panel’s recommendations as swiftly as possible. As the Christopher Commission stated: “More than any other factor, the attitude and actions of the leaders of the Police Department and other city agencies will determine whether the recommendations of this report are adopted . . . . Leadership must avoid sending mixed signals.”

Accordingly, I urge city government leaders to take two concrete steps to signal their intention to adhere to the panel’s recommendations.

First, city government leaders should immediately convene a special conference committee to consider the findings and recommendations of the commission and to coordinate the efforts of city government in implementing them. Each branch of city government and every key agency affected should send a representative. The conference committee should establish a timetable for the implementation of the recommendations, identify in principle what legislation or ballot initiatives will be required and decide which agency is best equipped to carry out which tasks. The conference committee could convene immediately and establish a plan for implementation within days.

Such a conference committee or some similar coordinated governmental effort is essential to avoid political gridlock, bureaucratic confusion and unnecessary delay in implementing the recommendations. It is the only way to ensure that the “mixed signals” and political civil war that dominated city government for three torturous months does not recur.

Second, elected officials should demonstrate their commitment to the findings and recommendations of the commission by joining forces and insisting that Chief Daryl Gates adhere to these recommendations in every respect. This includes the recommendation that Gates announce his retirement immediately, his departure to occur upon the selection of his successor. The official process of selecting his replacement should begin with Gates’ announcement. The City Council should demonstrate leadership by making its position and intentions unmistakably clear. It should pass an immediate resolution calling for Gates to adhere to the commission’s proposed reforms; it is his duty to do so. Otherwise, he should resign forthwith and raise his objections as a as a private citizen.

Gates has already acted to undermine the force and credibility of the commission findings. His comment that he will retire when he alone determines that it is appropriate is only one example. Such public defiance is calculated to divide this community and to interfere with the orderly transfer of power within the department.

Gates appears willing to stop at nothing. His dictatorial retribution against a high-ranking subordinate because the latter did his duty and testified under oath before a properly constituted investigative body is outrageous. Such conduct is a proverbial “stick in the eye” to the Christopher Commission and the community. Whatever one’s view of Gates before the commission issued its report, his most recent comments and actions clearly pose a real and immediate threat to the rule of law and the orderly function of government. Such conduct should be investigated to determine if it constitutes just cause for his immediate discharge.

If the last four months have taught us anything, it is that the crisis that descended upon this city is bigger than the use of excessive force against one man. Similarly, finding a solution to the crisis requires that we look beyond, and not be impeded by, one man’s blind ambition to retain power.