The LAPD’s Unaddressed ‘Problems’ : Most of the officers that the Christopher report cited for excessive force are still on the job

The Christopher Commission took pains not to indict the entire Los Angeles Police Department in its thorough investigation of the police beating of Rodney G. King. In a key finding, the commission singled out 44 “problem officers,” who were accused of repeatedly using excessive force; it did not name them. More than a year after the commission’s report was released, Times staff writer Richard Serrano has uncovered the identities of the so-called problem cops and determined that most remain on the force.

Former Chief Daryl F. Gates was slow to acknowledge problems in his ranks--but Gates is gone now. Why have there been only three firings and four resignations? Why have the majority remained in jobs that require public contact? Why have so few undergone the counseling and retraining urged by the commission?

Chief Willie L. Williams needs to answer these questions to reassure a public made wary by frequent allegations of police brutality.

Several officers question their inclusion on the list. Is there reasonable doubt that they are among the worse offenders? To substantiate its claims, the Christopher Commission used a computer study of the complaints made in recent years against the LAPD. That analysis turned up a small group of officers who accounted for six or more complaints. If the computer erred, the Police Department ought to say so.

The riots that followed the not guilty verdicts in the trial of the officers involved in the King beating have raised many questions. Among them: Did a super-aggressive police culture encourage tough cops to use more force than necessary? Did the leadership ignore intolerance directed at minorities and women? And the most troubling: Are rogue cops still on the streets?