Block Says He Embraces Spirit of Critical Report

In a conciliatory initial reaction to this week’s highly critical review of his department, Sheriff Sherman Block said Wednesday he embraces the spirit of the report and may be willing to set in motion the series of reforms it proposes.

Choosing not to quarrel with the toughly worded report by Special Counsel James G. Kolts, which had found “deeply disturbing” patterns of excessive force and lax discipline in the Sheriff’s Department, Block said in a statement:

“Although we have not yet been able to give the . . . report the in-depth analysis it deserves, I can say that I embrace the spirit in which it was submitted and have not ruled out implementing any of its (185) recommendations.

“The Kolts committee identifies excessive force and discipline as critical issues. I concur,” the sheriff said.

Later, Supervisor Ed Edelman, who first proposed the six-month Kolts inquiry, said Block had assured him in a telephone conversation Wednesday that he would give the report careful attention.

“He said, ‘We don’t want to give just a knee-jerk reaction to this,’ ” Edelman said. “ ‘We want to look at it carefully to see what we can implement.’ ”

Edelman said Block should be allowed “the time to review in detail” the recommendations made by Kolts and his staff.

Block’s first public comments, which came two days after the report was released, drew largely favorable reactions.

Attorney Warren Christopher, head of the Christopher Commission that last year recommended major reforms in the Los Angeles Police Department, called Block’s reaction “a constructive and forthcoming response that reflects well both on the Kolts report and Sheriff Block.

“Now, tangible action is needed,” Christopher said.

Kolts and his general counsel, Merrick J. Bobb, said in a joint statement:

“As we said in our report, much of the credit for the openness to change and flexibility (in the department) goes to Sheriff Block. His temperament and style has encouraged self-examination within the department. (His) statement today demonstrates our point and will make the process of implementation of our recommendations and reforms much easier.”

Samuel Paz, a board member of the Mexican-American Bar Assn., also called Block’s comments “measured and restrained” and “certainly a nice opening.”

But criticism came from Gloria Romero, co-chair of the Coalition for Sheriff’s Accountability, and Ramona Ripston, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California. They said Block had failed to acknowledge responsibility for past Sheriff’s Department shortcomings.

Romero said the Kolts report had shown the department to be “dysfunctional” and that Block should follow the lead of county Chief Administrative Officer Richard B. Dixon, who has announced plans to resign.

The report singled out 62 “problem officers” responsible for a disproportionate number of brutal incidents and criticized department officials for impeding the filing of citizen complaints.

Ripston said examples detailed in the report occurred on Block’s watch. “He has to accept responsibility for them. . . . I think he has to document the kind of progress he’s made, and what he intends to do,” she said.

In his statement, Block committed himself to making a more detailed analysis of the report at his regular monthly news conference next Wednesday, and in a written response to the Board of Supervisors.

His two-page written statement contained no criticism of the 359-page report, and in fact welcomed the “thoughtful input” of its “valuable” suggestions.

Among its recommendations were proposals for civilian oversight of the adjudication process for citizen complaints of brutality and harassment, and for an early warning system to monitor deputies’ use of unnecessary force.

But Block also noted that the report gives the Sheriff’s Department credit for beginning to implement its own reforms two years ago. He added that “it is critical to keep in mind that the vast majority of the men and women of the Sheriff’s Department are performing their duties in an efficient and effective manner. . . .”

“What the report recommends is a strengthening and acceleration of these changes, while recognizing that there exist some external constraints that must be addressed.

“Whatever we decide to do in response to the valuable recommendations made in the Kolts report, be assured that the level of future citizen involvement in the operations of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will be enhanced,” he concluded.

In another development, Block’s top deputy, Undersheriff Robert A. Edmonds, took quick steps to emphasize that he backs the sheriff’s response to the report.

A source on Kolts’ staff had earlier described Edmonds as a leader of an in-house group of hard-liners opposed to reform in the department.

The source said the staff made that assessment after Kolts and two senior staff aides met with Block and Edmonds during the inquiry.

Edmonds, however, said that conclusion was mistaken.

“I have worked with Sherman Block for 20 years and we think alike on virtually everything,” Edmonds said. “I had a major role in drafting (Wednesday’s) statement. In fact, I led the discussion group that drafted that statement.”

Meanwhile, Kolts responded to three days of attacks by conservative Supervisor Mike Antonovich, who blamed liberal “character assassins” for the content of the report.

The retired judge said he, too, is a registered Republican and noted that Antonovich was the only supervisor who had opposed authorizing the Kolts effort.

“As far as I’m concerned, the report was based on evidence that was presented to us,” Kolts said. “I neither apologize nor withdraw it. Let me give Supervisor Antonovich credit for being a well-intentioned man.”

BUSINESS AS USUAL: Deputies go about their duties, with Kolts report having little immediate impact. B3