Hahn’s Stance on Parks Is Applauded, Booed

How unfortunate that Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn has capitulated to the police union. Although he, erroneously, offers up other reasons for his lack of support for Chief Bernard Parks, the real reason is the political muscle of the Police Protective League. Now, nowhere in California can a police chief survive without constantly appeasing the union types.

The bottom line is, the LAPD needs more discipline, not less, and Parks has shown the courage necessary to make the Los Angeles Police Department, once again, the epitome of professional law enforcement. The Times needs to do an in-depth study of the police culture and what goes on behind the scenes; the public would be appalled.

David A. Dusenbury

Deputy Chief of Police, Ret.

Long Beach Police Department

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Other than being black, what has Parks done to benefit L.A.’s African American community? I reside in one of the city’s African American “strongholds,” yet I see increasing violence and graffiti. Frankly, I share my neighbors’ concern about changing demographics and loss of political muscle. However, I cannot agree that supporting Parks and dinosaurs like Councilman Nate Holden is in the bests interest of our neighborhood or city.

Todd Engle

Los Angeles

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To those individuals who commented on Hahn’s “courage” and “boldness” in not supporting Parks’ bid to continue as chief of police, let me say that you obviously are confused. When you turn your back on the constituents who (dare I say) put you in office, doing the opposite of what they desire is not courage. It’s called back-stabbing. Those individuals who chose those words have never been spread-eagled, disrespected, shot at, profiled or any other unpleasant phrase one can use to describe the daily treatment of citizens by the old LAPD.

I have noticed a different treatment of L.A. citizens by the LAPD, and I’m certain the chief has played a major role in that change.

Jeffrey L. Walker

Los Angeles

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I applaud Hahn’s decision regarding Parks’ reappointment. It was not, I am sure, an easy decision but nevertheless it was the right one. It took courage, as I am sure he knew what the backlash would be like. However, the statistics speak for themselves. This is not a racial issue. In addition, shame on William Elkins [for refusing to shake Hahn’s hand at a Black History Month celebration]. This was not the moment for him to behave in such a petulant manner.

Susan Ribas

Los Angeles

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Re “Hahn Betrayed the Faith Blacks Had in Him,” Commentary, Feb. 8: What Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) seems to be saying to us is that, in her world, it is right and fair for white people to be judged based upon job performance but not people of color. She seems to be telling us that people of color have an unquestionable right to their jobs no matter how they perform or that a white mayor has no right to an opinion of the job performance of a black city employee.

Is it not possible for Waters to consider that perhaps Hahn does not support Parks’ second term based upon job performance and not skin color? Given the Hahn family history with the African American community of Los Angeles, Waters ought to consider that perhaps Hahn’s opinion of Parks’ job performance is based upon factors other than race.

Mark Van Leeuwen

Newhall

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In “Race Is Just Part of the Parks Equation” (Feb. 8), Steve Lopez criticizes Holden and Waters for making sweeping statements regarding their constituencies. Yet at the end of his column he condemns the leadership skills of the entire LAPD.

What a joke. I agree that there is a stink in the air. The source is a different matter.

Bill Shannon

Chino Hills