For Parks, Fetes and a Farewell

After months of contentious political debate over Bernard C. Parks’ bid for a second term as LAPD police chief, he was honored Saturday, his official last day, as a role model and public servant whose work has improved Los Angeles.

Parks, wearing a suit and tie, received a standing ovation as he stood to speak to about 150 people at Ted Watkins Park in Watts, where a sidewalk plaque was dedicated to him.

Appearing relaxed, he smiled, nodded and thanked the audience. Parks said he and his wife, Bobbie, both look forward to the next step in his career. He has said he may consider a run for the Los Angeles City Council.

“We will be a part of this city for the rest of our lives,” Parks said. “Certainly, this is just another phase of moving forward in dealing with public service.”

Parks retired last month after failing to win the support of Mayor James K. Hahn, the Police Commission and the City Council. His term as chief was to end in August. Parks, the city’s second African American chief, had been with the Los Angeles Police Department for 37 years and was credited with breaking racial barriers there.

Deputy Chief Michael Bostic has been serving as acting chief. The commission is expected to announce an interim chief this week,and will conduct a nationwide search for Parks’ replacement.

Parks, having already cleaned out his desk, said he spent his last day attending to final duties at the department, signing paperwork and turning in equipment. Parks and his wife planned to attend a few private receptions in his honor Saturday evening.

During his speech, Parks recognized community activists in Watts and reminisced about the changes that community has seen in the past four decades. He said he remembered the day in 1961 when he first saw a white officer and an African American officer in the same patrol car.

He Urges Residents to Monitor LAPD

Already more in the character of a politician than a police chief, Parks briefly talked about the importance of improving health care and helping the homeless. And he urged residents to continue monitoring the LAPD.

“We’ve seen a lot of things that have been harmful to the community, and unfortunately some of those things were caused by the Los Angeles Police Department,” he said.

“I think we’ve moved beyond a great number of those issues, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still be vigilant,” he said.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) praised Parks as a trustworthy and responsible leader who put himself as risk by cleaning up the police department.

“He knew where the bad eggs were, and he was not afraid to do what he had to do,” she said.

The Rampart corruption scandal, which became known during Parks’ administration, has put former police officers in jail for stealing drugs and money and planting evidence.

Waters criticized the City Council and the Police Commission for not backing Parks.

“They should have been able to rise above whatever the mayor wanted, but they didn’t have the courage to do that,” she said, receiving loud applause.

Police commissioners decided not to support Parks because they said he was responsible for a rising crime rate and a decline in officer morale. Hahn had said he was unhappy with the chief’s record on crime, as well as reform and community policing.

If Parks runs for City Council or eventually mayor, Waters said, “this city would be better off for it.”

After the speeches, a plaque with Parks’ name and picture was unveiled on the Promenade of Prominence, modeled after Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. He joins other honorees such as Kenneth Hahn, Willie Brown, Johnnie Cochran and Willie Williams. Also honored Saturday were dentist Ralph Winge and Leo Hill, director of equal opportunity programs for Lockheed Martin Corp.

James Mays, who founded the promenade, said Parks has made history through his leadership. “He will eternally be here as chief,” Mays said, pointing to the plaques on the sidewalk.

Richard Johnson, 49, who attended the celebration, said he respects Parks and worries about the LAPD without him. “I don’t want to see us go backward,” he said.

Yvonne Casey, 68, also said she was disappointed to see Parks leave.

“I am sad, but I think he’s going to have a lot more ahead,” said Casey, a retired secretary from the Compton Unified School District.

As Parks prepared to leave the community celebration Saturday afternoon, he said he planned to spend some time doing what he hasn’t been able to do for many years.

His wife interrupted with a smile and said, “Like housework.”