Willie L. Williams

In response to “Now More Will Hail the Chief,” editorial, Sept. 26:

It would be somewhat difficult to heap too much praise upon Chief Willie L. Williams for having shepherded the Los Angeles Police Department to the point to which it has progressed, considering the disarray the department was found to be in by the Christopher Commission.

The City Council and others are also responsible for action resulting in the chief obtaining authority to select his own management team. Also, the chief is to be commended for the high-class, strictly professional manner in which he has handled the entire situation, especially knowing how difficult functioning effectively in the situation he inherited can be.

Without doubt, with Chief Williams as the Police Department’s leader, Los Angeles is well on its way to overcoming many of its past law enforcement episodes that resulted in the LAPD becoming the laughingstock of law enforcement agencies nationwide.

JOHN ViDAHL

Los Angeles

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Your editorial strongly implies that in LAPD’s command and staff officer ranks there are “Gates people” and “Williams people,” and that those are factions and in conflict.

From firsthand knowledge (39 years of service, the last 16 years as a deputy chief), I can tell you and your readers that such is not the case. Our first responsibility is to the people of Los Angeles and that responsibility includes supporting the incumbent chief of police, the incumbent members of the Police Commission, and incumbent elected city officials, whoever they may be.

That is the fact and that is the practice where LAPD leaders are concerned.

RONALD A. FRANKLE, Deputy Chief

Commanding Officer

Operations-West Bureau