The head of each Orange County law...

The head of each Orange County law enforcement agency was asked to comment on the Rodney G. King federal civil rights trial verdicts. Here is what some of the chiefs who responded said.

“Initially, there was a need for force when (King) was resisting, but at some point it went beyond that. That’s where the judgment call comes in. And by the end of the video, it looked like they went way beyond the appropriate force.”

Acting Brea Police Chief James E. Oman

“Police morale has been at low ebb in this last year. Now that it’s over with . . . let’s get on with the business of living with and loving each other.”

Cypress Police Chief Daryl Wicker

“This showed the worst-case scenario for everyone to see, and people said this isn’t what happened on ‘Adam 12’ or whatever police TV show. For the police community it also said, ‘Hey, we’ve got to do some training, we have to provide appropriate tools for officers on the streets, and we need to go on.’ ”

Fullerton Police Chief Patrick McKinley

“As a result of last year’s riot . . . we as law enforcement agencies have become better at what we do. We are a professional organization of men and women, and when we see an error or a problem on how we handle situations, we need to react quickly to ensure those situations never occur again.”

Garden Grove Police Chief Stanley L. Knee

“I think the trials really focused needlessly on the negative side of police. It was an isolated incident. I hope from this point on we can portray a positive side to police, because we do a lot of good things.”

Irvine Police Chief Charles S. Brobeck

“It did not surprise me that (Sgt. Stacey C.) Koon and (Officer Laurence M.) Powell were found guilty and that the other two were not. Clearly, I think, Powell was totally out of control and . . . (Koon) didn’t have control of the scene.”

Laguna Beach Police Chief Neil J. Purcell Jr.

“It is very difficult to see a fellow law enforcement officer on trial. I am sure (the beating) made all conscientious officers stop and ponder their actions and maybe take a look at the profession.”

Acting Newport Beach Police Chief Jim Jacobs

“I’m hoping that it brings closure. It is time for people to get on with their lives. . . . I don’t think this trial is going to change perceptions that much, except that police are human, that they too can make mistakes.”

Orange Police Chief John R. Robertson

“If nothing else comes out of this, I think it will really reaffirm the direction of policing in the last 10 or 15 years, and that is building good relations. . . . The world has become more violent and much more complex, and it is harder for officers to deal with on the street and still serve their community.”

Santa Ana Police Chief Paul M. Walters

“There’s no doubt about it: The image of police was hurt when the video came out a year ago. How much it hurt, or how long it’ll last, I don’t know. I don’t think anybody does.”

Seal Beach Police Chief Bill Stearns “The jury has spoken. The issue is closed.”

Tustin Police Chief W. Douglas Franks