Dotson, Headed for Demotion, Will Retire

Assistant Chief David D. Dotson, who received notice last week that Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates intends to demote him, has been placed on stress-related disability leave by his family doctor and said he has reluctantly filed for retirement.

The 58-year-old assistant chief, who is Los Angeles’ second-highest ranking police officer, said Wednesday that he will be forced to retire June 4 because of financial considerations unless Gates reconsiders the demotion.

Dotson said he would prefer to stay with the department and “try to influence” Gates’ replacement, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Willie Williams “in the way the Los Angeles Police Department rebuilds itself.”

But the demotion, set to take effect June 5, would cost Dotson $1,200 a month in pension benefits. “That’s more than I can afford,” said the 34-year-veteran. “I’m not a wealthy man.”

Dotson said he was told that the demotion was for failure to complete a 1988 investigation into an allegation involving a deputy chief, whom Dotson would not name.

Dotson said he was also accused of falsely telling Gates that the investigation had been completed when it had not been. He said he had taken the investigation as far as he could but was unable to resolve some questions and told Gates that.

He attributed the demotion to retaliation by Gates for Dotson’s having criticized the chief during 1991 testimony before the Christopher Commission.

Gates, through a spokesman, has declined to comment.