Police Panel Takes Its Final Bow : Commission: Members of LAPD civilian review board, being replaced by Riordan appointees, reflect on a tough two years.

In an emotional farewell Tuesday, members of the Los Angeles Police Commission publicly reflected on two years of intense turmoil within the Los Angeles Police Department and paid special tribute to outgoing Commission President Jesse A. Brewer.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege,” Brewer told his fellow commissioners as they held their final session before five new panelists take over. “I’ll never forget all of you for what you have done for me.”

Brewer, a former deputy chief who was appointed to the commission by then-Mayor Tom Bradley and became president of the panel last year, made brief remarks before beginning his final commission meeting. Other commissioners echoed his praise for the commission staff and added their commendations for Brewer, lauding him for his leadership and dignity.

All five police commissioners were replaced by Mayor Richard Riordan, whose panel appointees are expected to be confirmed by the City Council next week. Despite some calls for him to reappoint at least one of the current commissioners, Riordan decided to start with a clean slate.

Commissioner Ann Reiss Lane said Tuesday that Brewer “should have been retained” and added that he would be “greatly missed.” Lane, who struggled to hold back tears as she said her farewells, said she was concerned about press reports detailing rank-and-file officers’ dissatisfaction with Police Chief Willie L. Williams, who was hired by the commission.

“I hope the members of the department will come to appreciate the chief,” Lane said.

All five commissioners noted that their tenure had been a rocky one, encompassing the Rodney G. King beating, the riots and the long battle with former Chief Daryl F. Gates, among other incidents. In the wake of the King case, the commission led the drive to reform the Police Department and to hire Williams, actions that sometimes strained relations between the civilian commissioners and the police force they oversaw.

Commissioners Michael R. Yamaki and Anthony De Los Reyes remarked on those difficult times, but both also praised the department for its handling of the rapid-fire succession of crises.

While echoing the views of his colleagues, Commissioner Stanley K. Sheinbaum, the senior member of the panel, said he leaves the commission with one major regret: “We never sold the public . . . a good understanding of what policing is about. If I had it to do over, I clearly would have pushed for more understanding of what the rank and file go through.”