King Case

It is time to clear the air about the Rodney King case. I cannot believe the lack of understanding on the part of the prosecutor, the defendants, the media and unfortunately the public. I have been in the police system for 26 years as a police officer and have held every rank from street patrol officer to chief and I am appalled at the dangerous precedent that is being established in how the issue of excessive force is being dealt with.

For citizens to be told that the police can “break bones” or use deadly force to make an unarmed suspect surrounded by uniformed officers comply with an order (why?) to lie down is an insult to them and to our profession. It is warped interpretations of police powers such as Sgt. Stacey Koon’s actions at the scene and his statements in court that cause a loss of public confidence.

Let’s get something straight. The question of whether the officers used excessive force is being asked by “police experts.” One says that the force used was appropriate and the other says that it was not. Which one is correct? The question is one that is to be answered by the public and the jury. The question may be asked whether the force was within the department policy; however, the more important question is whether the force was appropriate. And if the inappropriate force used was within the guidelines, then the policy needs to be changed.

If a policy is so complicated that the average person cannot understand it unless it is interpreted by “an expert,” then there is something wrong with that policy. It is dangerous to the public safety to let the police tell you what is the appropriate use of force and when it is necessary. We need you to tell whether or not in your view the actions that took place were excessive. If they were, then do what you must do to take control of your local police department back from the “experts.”

And let those of us who have carried the badges and protected your lives tell you that you are not questioning our integrity by judging our actions or demanding that we change them. You are doing your job as a responsible citizen to ensure that we don’t stray from our office of public trust.

JAMES M. ROBENSON

The writer is the former police chief of Pasadena.