Williams’ Rebuke Overturned

Re “Police Chief Claims Victory; Others See Credibility in Doubt,” June 22:

In light of the City Council’s action, it is quite apparent that the Los Angeles police chief is held to a different standard compared to the rank-and-file officers within the department. Is this leadership? From a citizen’s perspective, it is not. Perhaps when Chief Willie Williams’ time in office is complete, the mayor, Police Commission and City Council will look for a new chief who is capable and willing to be held to the same standard as all LAPD officers.

ROBERT A. F. GUTIERREZ

Carson

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Where’s the beef? Judging by the press coverage given to Williams’ reprimand and its subsequent overturn, one would think that he had been accused of siphoning millions from city coffers or molesting some child. Why has there been such a hoopla about getting a free hotel room in Las Vegas, something that anybody can get? What was the Police Commission doing asking Williams about such a trivial issue to begin with?

There are innumerable important issues having to do with the police in Los Angeles, and promotions by Las Vegas hotels are not among them.

BENJAMIN BAILEY

Santa Monica

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Williams says the Los Angeles City Council has restored his integrity, where in fact his credibility and that of the city’s politicians have been trashed by the conclusion of the Las Vegas controversy. Los Angeles city politicians have trashed their “golden” opportunity, since the chief’s post-L.A.-riot arrival, to restore the integrity of city government.

In a self-serving manner, the chief substituted the word semantic for the word lie, when he was found to have been disingenuous to his superiors regarding his trip to Las Vegas. The issue wasn’t “did he receive a free room,” but did he tell the truth. His self-proclaimed victory is actually a loss to the efforts of the Christopher Commission’s hard work, L.A. citizens and the men and women of the LAPD.

The initial disciplinary action of the Police Commission, which was supported by Mayor Riordan, was without regard to the chief being black or white, but the black-and-white print of the rules and regulations (LAPD manual) that all members of the LAPD are responsible for. The City Council’s vote to overturn the reprimand of the Police Commission shows a double standard when it comes to the LAPD manual and how it is applied to the rank and file and members of the command staff.

CARL L. McGILL

LAPD, Southwest Division

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By overturning the Police Commission’s reprimand of Williams without reviewing the facts, the council is sending a message to every sworn LAPD officer that under certain conditions it is OK to give false and/or misleading statements during an internal personnel investigation. This action was wrong.

The final issue in this entire matter was Williams’ forthrightness and truthfulness in responding to an allegation that he improperly solicited and received gratuities, not the gratuities themselves. Riordan’s upholding of the Police Commission’s reprimand of Williams for failing to be completely truthful in his response came after a careful review of the facts. Now the council overturns his decision without even looking at the investigation! Will the council do the same for the next cop on the beat who is disciplined for lying? Police officers are, and should be, held to a higher standard than the community at large because of the trust they are given. This should include the “cop at the top.”

GARY E. ROGNESS

LAPD, retired

Los Angeles