Discipline in the LAPD
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* Los Angeles Police Chief Willie Williams is allegedly guilty of lying to his bosses, the Police Commission. Twelve members of the City Council are guilty of misfeasance in office. (Councilman Richard Alatorre is the only one with strength of character.) And, The Times in editorializing on this whole mess, “Well, Let’s Hope It Works” (June 22) is guilty of small thinking and a major news media cop-out.
The Times vigorously urged the passage of Prop. F, which has politicized the chief and the entire LAPD. We have now witnessed the first political-police corruption in 48 years in this city, and The Times refuses to admit it made a gross error. Let’s hope it works? Wow!!
As for Chief Williams, he will never again be able to sign a disciplinary action against a police officer in good conscience. Good conscience requires integrity and honesty, two character traits that are missing in this whole sordid episode.
Many, many times when I was about to impose discipline upon a police officer, that officer would write the following message to me, not always in the same words, but always with the same meaning:
“Chief, while I may disagree with the need for discipline in this case, I do recognize that the department considers my conduct inappropriate. I want you to know, Chief, that regardless of what you decide the disciplinary penalty to be, I will accept it. You can be assured that it will never occur again and I will continue to give this department I love 150% of my loyalty and energy.”
How much better off the city would be if the chief had said and done the same thing.
It is a lesson in humility for us all, and just partially explains my pride in and loyalty to the men and women of the Los Angeles Police Department.
DARYL F. GATES
Police Officer, LAPD ret.
South Pasadena
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