L.A.'s Gates facing ouster
Haya El Nasser;Jonathan T. Lovitt
06/08/1992
USA Today
FINAL
Page 01A
(Copyright 1992)
LOS ANGELES - An angry police commission Sunday began a battle to oust
police Chief Daryl Gates, demanding his unconditional surrender.
``There are no deals with Daryl Gates,'' said commission chief Stanley
Sheinbaum.
He called the meeting after Gates last weekend threatened to stay past his June
30 retirement date. ``We're going to hold him to his word.''
The group voted to hire outside legal counsel to explore options, including firing
Gates. The City Council is expected to approve the move Tuesday.
Gates told The Los Angeles Times Friday: ``I said I was going to retire at the
end of June and my feeling is now, `Screw you, I'll retire when I want.' ''
Gates has often postponed retirement. This new change of heart comes after a
dispute over his demand that promotions he favors be awarded.
A press conference is set for today. But the threat could:
- Void the appointment of his successor, former Philadelphia top cop Willie
Williams.
- Force another costly search for a new chief.
- Touch off more violence. Saturday, dozens of police were pelted with rocks at
a south-central housing project.
Gates has been under pressure to leave since the March 3, 1991, police beating
of motorist Rodney King.
If Gates stays on through July 15, Williams could be out of a job because under a
measure passed last week - and expected to be on the books by July 15 - the
authority to choose a new chief will shift from the commission to the mayor and
City Council.
Gates has been a vocal opponent of the measure, but may now enforce it.
Also, the council is considering whether Gates' latest move, coupled with his
actions during the riots, are grounds to cut his salary by $44,000 to $133,000 a
year. Any such move would affect his pension.
Gates has been widely criticized for attending a political fund-raiser during the
rioting.
Said Councilman Michael Woo: ``This is a disgrace. ... We must remove Chief
Gates.''