CRISIS IN THE LAPD: THE RODNEY KING CASE

The March 3 videotaped beating of motorist Rodney G. King sparked a public outcry over police misconduct and prompted calls for Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates’ resignation. Following are some of the chief’s comments since the incident: (Related stories, A1, 22-24)

MARCH 5: Calls videotape shocking, but cautions: “One incident doesn’t indict an entire department.” MARCH 6: At news conference, says that King, on parole for robbery conviction: “didn’t deserve to be whacked around like that, and I’ll be the first to apologize to him for that. But he doesn’t deserve to be a folk hero either.” MARCH 13: In a speech to Police Academy: “We apologize to the members of other departments because we have brought shame and dishonor to the profession.” MARCH 15: In a meeting with Los Angeles Times editors, says videotape “made me physically ill. Physically ill. Physically ill.” MARCH 20: At City Council meeting: “The chief of police will one day leave this department. But not because of those folks (the protesters).” MARCH 21: To the L.A. chapters of Public Relations Society of America: “I’m going to remain. I’m going to see this through.” APRIL 2: After Mayor Tom Bradley calls on him to step down: “Mayor, I think you’re wrong, and I will not resign. There are 8,300 members of this department who are depending on me ... to provide some leadership out of this situation.” APRIL 3: On ABC’s Nightline: “I’m simply not going to accept it (discipline).... The unfairness is that when the mayor talks about the healing process, how can you heal when you keep jabbing at the wound? You can’t heal.” APRIL 4: After Police Commission puts him on administrative leave: “I feel that I have been disgraced and defamed. I have done nothing wrong.” Some have called on Gates to resign, while others have urged him to stay. Here are some of the public officials, private organizations and business groups that have taken a stand:

SUPPORTERS Public Officials

President George Bush

Gov. Pete Wilson

State Sen. Ed Davis

Sheriff Sherman Block

Supervisor Mike Antonovich

Supervisor Deane Dana

Supervisor Kenneth Hahn

City Council President John Ferraro

Councilman Hal Bernson

Councilwoman Joan Milke Flores

Councilman Nate Holden

Councilwoman Joy Picus

Organizations

Assn. of Black Law Enforcement Officers

Citizens in Support of the Chief of Police (CISCOP)

Command Officers Assn.

Latin American Law Enforcement Assn.

LAPD Blue Ribbon Support Coalition

Oscar Joel Bryant Foundation, black police officers with 900 members

Police Protective League

Personalities

Attorney Gloria Allred

Actor Chad Everett

Actress Peggy Rowe Estrada

Commentator George Putnam

Media

KABC

NONSUPPORTERS Public Officials

Mayor Tom Bradley

Councilman Michael Woo

U.S. Rep. Anthony C. Beilenson (D-Los Angeles)

U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City)

U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles)

U.S. Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Los Angeles)

Assemblywoman Marguerite Archie-Hudson (D-Los Angeles)

Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco)

State Sen. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles)

U.S. Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Delaware)

Former San Francisco Mayor Dianne Feinstein

San Jose Police Chief Joseph McNamara

Pasadena Police Chief Bruce Philpott

Organizations

American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California

Baptist Ministers Conference

Brotherhood Crusade

Central American Refugee Center

First A.M.E. Church in L.A.

The Green Party of Los Angeles County

Los Angeles County Federation of Labor

Los Angeles-area Urban League

National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People

Peace and Freedom Party (Los Angeles)

Service Employees International Union, Local 399

Southern California Civil Rights Coalition

UCLA School of Law faculty

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

Southern California Organizing Committee

United Neighborhood Organization

Media

La Opinion

The Daily News

The Los Angeles Times

San Francisco Examiner

KCBS

KJLH

Personalities

Actor Alec Baldwin

Actress Kim Basinger

The Rev. Jesse Jackson

Commentator Bill Press

Columnist George F. Will

Sources: Associated Press and United Press International