Police Chief’s Decisiveness Was Critical
Police Chief Willie Williams was much more decisive after the Dec. 14 disturbance at the intersection of Florence and Normandie than was his predecessor, Daryl Gates.
When the peaceful rally turned violent, Williams, unlike Gates, “had a plan.” The chief placed all officers on tactical alert and quickly established a command post not far from the flash point.
In addition, the chief was in constant communication with the city’s leadership, the governor’s office and other law enforcement agencies. He even had a press conference with the local media shortly after the situation was brought under control to answer questions about the rally and the subsequent violence.
Williams and the LAPD’s quick response provided the kind of protection residents and merchants of that community have been longing for. While the new chief is not without flaws, he’s certainly more prepared, more available and more in tune with the streets than Daryl Gates. At a time when fear, apprehension and racial tension are high in Los Angeles, Williams’ decisive, firm leadership is reassuring to all segments of the city, which is critical to a city as diverse and fragile as Los Angeles.
KERMAN MADDOX
Los Angeles
Editor’s note: Maddox is a partner in the Los Angeles public affairs firm of Bragg & Maddox. He also hosts a public affairs talk show on KGFJ-AM (1230) and is president of the La Salle/Adams Neighborhood Watch Assn.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
