
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 5, 1991                   TAG: 9104050329
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES                                LENGTH: Medium

POLICE CHIEF TAKEN OFF JOB DURING BEATING INVESTIGATION

The Los Angeles Police Commission, saying it was acting in the "best interests of the police department," temporarily relieved Chief Daryl Gates of his duties Thursday until it completes a wide-ranging investigation begun in the aftermath of the beating of Rodney G. King.

Gates emerged with his attorneys from an hourlong, closed-door commission meeting, vowing to fight for his job. His attorneys said they would take legal action Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

"I feel that I have been disgraced and defamed," said the chief, biting his lip. "I have done nothing wrong. What they have done is improper and we're going to prove that."

Gates said the panel did not cite any specific reason for placing him on paid leave.

Commissioners said they believed they had the legal means to push Gates aside for 60 days, the time the commission believes it needs to complete its investigation.

"The commission is confident," said Vice President Melanie Lomax, "that the action we have taken is on sound legal grounds and that the court will back us."

In his place, the commission appointed Assistant Chief David D. Dotson to serve as acting chief, and the 33-year police veteran immediately called upon the 8,300 sworn members of the department "to put this crisis behind us and get on with what we do best, serving the people of this city."

Throughout Parker Center police headquarters, rank-and-file officers and members of the chief's high command reacted angrily to the news that Gates was told to vacate his sixth-floor office, where he has served as the city's top law enforcement official for the past 13 years. The action came just two days after Mayor Tom Bradley publicly called on Gates to resign.

Some City Council members, inundated by public demands that Bradley be recalled from office, said Thursday that they may exercise their power to side with Gates and not oppose him should he sue to regain his job.

by CNB