Police chief defends his criticisms

Los Angeles Police Chief William J. Bratton released a videotaped message to his officers Tuesday, addressing his public criticisms of police after the May Day demonstration and acknowledging that he is the one who ultimately will be held accountable “for events in MacArthur Park.”

Bratton has come under fire from officers and their union leadership for statements he has made since the immigrant rights protest, in which police used batons and foam rubber projectiles to disperse demonstrators, some of whom were unruly. At least 57 people were injured during the melee, including 14 members of the media and seven officers.

LAPD officers were particularly upset with Bratton for telling reporters that police can “go out of control faster than any human being in the world.” Union officials two weeks ago called on Bratton to apologize.

In his message Tuesday, Bratton said he would “not make excuses for some the comments I have made.... However, you deserve to know my thought process and intentions.”

As chief, he said, he has to consider not only the concerns of his officers but also outside interests, such as the mayor, the Police Commission, the media and the public.

“As you should know by now, my style is to be straightforward and speak candidly as I tell your story,” Bratton said, according to a transcript obtained by The Times. “Give me a good story to tell, and I will tell it. Give me something else, and, unfortunately, I will have to tell it like it is.”

He said he wanted to be “very clear” that the taped images of officers using force against the crowd were “very disturbing” and “there is no doubt that this incident has set our department back.”

“It will serve no purpose to not recognize and acknowledge that there were some problems with some prior planning, leadership, command and control, tactics and force used that day,” Bratton said.

After the incident, Bratton demoted one top police official in charge that day and reassigned another. He also ordered officers from the elite Metropolitan Division involved in the crowd control at MacArthur Park to temporarily “stand down” from field duties. All but three have returned to full duties.

In Tuesday’s taped message, Bratton acknowledged that videos don’t always tell the whole story and said he would not make a final assessment about the officers’ conduct until the investigations were finished.

“My commitment to you is that there will not be a rush to judgment,” he said. “We will not condone the use of unreasonable force under any circumstances, but I will defend all of you who use force when it is reasonable. Policing is not easy, and it is not always pretty.”

Bratton’s videotaped message is expected to be shown at police roll call meetings at stations throughout the department.

In the message, the chief praises his officers for doing an exceptional job despite the department being understaffed and not having adequate resources.

Bob Baker, president of the police officers union, said he found Bratton’s message lacking.

“I don’t think it’s going to satisfy the officers,” he said.

City Councilman Ed Reyes, whose district includes MacArthur Park and who has been a leading critic of the May 1 incident, welcomed the chief’s message for not backing away from concern about the police actions.

“To have a chief that continues that mantra with the officers is significant, because he continues to talk about accountability,” Reyes said. “That is encouraging.”

Bratton concluded his message by saying that President Truman had a sign on his desk that read: “The buck stops here.” Bratton said the same is true for him.

“Ultimately, I will be held accountable as chief of police for events in MacArthur Park by my chain of command, the Police Commission and the mayor,” Bratton said. “I accept that. It goes with the job.”

matt.lait@latimes.com

patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com