Wife Seeks Divorce From Ex-Police Chief Gates

Blaming irreconcilable differences after 24 years of marriage, the wife of former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates has filed for divorce.

Sima L. Gates filed divorce papers in Orange County Superior Court on May 5, four days before a federal judge dropped her husband from Rodney G. King’s lawsuit seeking millions of dollars in damages for his 1991 beating by police.

Court records show that the couple have been living apart since February. Sima Gates lives in their San Clemente condominium. The former chief lives in Highland Park.

Gates retired two years ago after heavy criticism of his handling of the 1992 riots.