LAPD Changes Under Williams

* Re “Number of Arrests by LAPD Plunges Since ‘91,” March 13:

I am a police superintendent (captain/commander equivalent) from the U.K. presently attached to the UCLA Law School as a Fulbright scholar. My research has put me in contact with many law enforcement agencies in the L.A. County area including the Los Angeles Police Department.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s the LAPD was continually slated in the media for its perceived arrogance, aggression and alleged heavy-handed tactics while crime rocketed. These sentiments were echoed in many commentaries produced after the Rodney King incident and the ’92 riots. The LAPD, under the leadership of Chief Willie Williams, listened and began to shift its focus to a more labor-intensive, community-oriented policing style.

Since the dark days of 1992, many new police/community partnerships have been forged and the benefits are beginning to show. The incidence of crime--though not the fear--is down, complaints against police action are down and the visibility of the LAPD is improving as the much needed increases in officer numbers make their presence felt.

I have studied many urban riots throughout the world and nearly all share one common precursor: overt aggressive policing which tends to alienate disadvantaged groups whose patience then snaps. Sound familiar?

Los Angeles is blessed, in my view, with a collection of professional law enforcement agencies of which it can be justly proud. The LAPD in particular has turned a corner and is responding to community needs. As you say over here, they now need to be “cut some slack” and be allowed to get on with their difficult and dangerous job.

KEN JONES

Superintendent

South Yorkshire Police