Remove Chief Parks, Retain More Officers

Instead of cutting back officers from crucial programs such as DARE that educate young children on the dangers of drugs, Chief Bernard Parks should clear out the sixth floor at Parker Center to put more officers back on patrol (“LAPD’s Elite Units Being Scaled Back,” March 10). His deputy chiefs and commanders all have aides and sworn personnel who are lieutenants, sergeants and P3s who are doing clerical work that civilians can do.

Parks should get rid of his driver, aide and bodyguard--who are also sworn and who accompany him to all the events he attends and are paid for by my tax dollars. They should be the first to be put back on patrol and start doing real police work. If the Police Commission makes its decision based solely on the merits of Parks’ job performance, then there is no doubt he should not be reappointed. The LAPD cannot afford to lose any more good officers.

Monica Harmon

West Los Angeles