Christopher’s Legacy May Be Williams’ Downfall

The process of renewing the Los Angeles police chief’s contract--Warren Christopher’s legacy--is inexorably moving toward a conclusion that, so far, has resisted the whims of public opinion.

Christopher, who went on to become secretary of State, headed the citizens group known as the Christopher Commission that was formed in 1991 to investigate the Los Angeles Police Department after the Rodney King beating.

Christopher was one of the most respected people in town. Once a powerful Democratic Party insider, he became a bipartisan local hero when, while serving in the Carter administration, he negotiated freedom for the Iranian hostages. Upon his return from Washington, he received a hearty civic reception.

The Christopher Commission made many recommendations. One proposed that the chief be appointed by the Police Commission, which would also vote on a contract renewal after five years. The plan was approved by the voters. The Police Commission is appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council.

Christopher is the cagiest of men, a conversational minimalist who keeps whatever broad visions he has to himself. He was criticized for this while secretary of State, but the quality certainly helped him negotiate an end to the hostilities in Bosnia, as well as in his dealings with Iran.

The police chief selection system Christopher devised reflects this style. Without getting too specific, his report talks in general terms about how the new system would shield the process from the sharp shifts of public opinion that characterize L.A.’s media-driven politics.

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But Chief Williams is acting as if he were running for office, traveling the city for appearances aimed at boosting his stock with voters, getting them to pressure a Police Commission his supporters say has already made up its mind to dump the chief.

That was clear this week when Williams spoke Monday night to a Westside Jewish community group at Stephen Wise Temple, high in the Santa Monica Mountains off Mulholland Drive, and the following evening to predominantly African American business people in South-Central Los Angeles. Each time, the chief received warm receptions consistent with his high standings in the polls.

On the Westside, where Riordan is popular, Williams praised the mayor, saying they worked hand in hand to increase the size of the department and improve its technical capabilities.

That’s ironic, because the mayor says Williams has consistently resisted his efforts. That sure wasn’t the chief’s message Monday night, when he said he intends to increase the number of cops on the street, just as the mayor wants.

“I hope you make it,” a member of the audience told Williams as he left the room. When someone else asked the chief what they could do to help him keep his job, he said to phone the commission.

The next night in South-Central L.A., where polls show the mayor’s popularity is down, Riordan was all but dropped from the Williams speech.

Otherwise, his talk was pretty much the same. Asked what his vision was for the city in the next five years, Williams said he wanted a bigger, more diverse police force that “comes to grips with some of the gender issues.” He also took off on our criminal justice system, saying that warehousing people in big prisons isn’t the answer. Education is important, he said. Prisons must provide it.

These speeches supplement Williams’ appearances on national television after such events as the Ennis Cosby murder and the Simpson civil verdicts, where he is the image of a modern, compassionate but strong police chief.

Williams’ campaigning, plus the aggressive tactics of his lawyers, have turned the current deliberations into an intensely political struggle.

If the chief built up enough support, how could the Police Commission refuse to renew his contract? And if the commission dumps the popular chief, how could the City Council refuse to overturn the decision? (The commission can be overridden by 10 votes on the 15-member council.)

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I wondered about this in a column earlier this month. But now, as a decision on Williams nears, I got a strong hint that Williams’ effective campaigning may not translate into a new contract.

It came in a conversation Tuesday with Councilwoman Laura Chick, chairwoman of the Public Safety Committee and a major City Hall force in shaping Police Department policy.

I asked her if she thought the council would overturn the Police Commission if it decided against renewing Williams’ contract.

“Thus far, the process seems to be impeccable, and we would have to have a very valid reason to override it,” she said. “So far, there isn’t one that is apparent to me.”

There is a feeling on the council, she said, “to be respectful of the process that was set up and validated by the voters.” Even Williams’ supporters, she said, would be reluctant to intervene “out of respect for the process . . . unless there was a very specific reason to feel the process was flawed.”

Let the chief campaign all he wants. Laura Chick is sticking with the process bequeathed to L.A. by Warren Christopher. It’s a political safety net for her and her colleagues. If a substantial number of council members feel the same way about this still-revered figure and his handiwork, Chief Williams is in trouble.