by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright April 14, 2002
All Rights Reserved.

lapping Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard C. Parks in the face, the Police Commission went overboard, announcing that the embattled chief lacked integrity and willfully misled commissioners. At controversy was Parks' reference to a glowing but unofficial 2001 performance review by former Police Commission President Raquelle de la Rocha. During the final hours of deliberation, Commission President Rick J. Caruso admitted that Parks' was "less than forthcoming"—a fact that ultimately influenced commissioners. Retaining the law firm of Allred, Maroko and Goldberg, Parks sought to defend his reputation. "Whatever faults I might have, one of them is not my integrity," said Parks, taking great umbrage at Caruso's public remarks. Announcing the commission's decision to not renew Parks' contract, Caruso publicly flogged the proud 37-year LAPD veteran. "Today, the Los Angeles Police Department is in crisis, a department losing officers at an alarming rate," said Caruso. "Trust and confidence between those in uniform and the chief has been mortally wounded . . ." blaming Parks for failed management.

      Caruso's public remarks didn't have to go into extensive detail about Parks' competence or his integrity. With rising crime rates, falling morale and growing attrition, the commission could have easily avoided a character assassination—especially admitting they were swayed by Parks' lack of integrity. "I believe the facts are crystal clear," said Parks. "For the past five years, I have worked tirelessly to fill the leadership voids and correct the failings of the previous years . . . While the commissioners claim they avoided political rhetoric, I disagree. The process has become much too politicized," essentially blaming Mayor James K. Hahn for his public opposition to Parks' renewal. "The mayor tainted the process," said community activist Danny Bakewell, after being ejected from the Police Commission meeting. Yes, under the new City Charter, the mayor appoints his own civilian police commission. But it's also the mayor's civic duty to let constituents know where he stands on important matters affecting the city—including reappointing a police chief.

      Politics aside, Parks must accept that creating friction within his department and at City Hall has consequences. Caruso went too far impugning Parks' reputation, rather than accentuating the positive, avoiding personal attacks, and expressing regret that things didn't work out. By giving too much detail, Caruso antagonized Parks, already put off by the painful process of losing his job. Sometimes less is more. Without public humiliation Parks might have bowed out gracefully, though disappointed with the outcome. Instead, Parks' attorney Nathan Goldberg indicated that the commission's findings were "a vicious smear campaign" at a man with "an unblemished career who never missed a day of work," responding to the politically incorrect way in which the matter was handled. Showing up for work has nothing to do with Parks' ability to lead the LAPD out of its current mess. Rising crime rates, low morale and growing attrition aren't subject only to interpretation—the facts speak for themselves. Nor is it entirely necessary to hang every mishap on the chief.

      Once the commission announced its decision, Parks had every right to lobby on his behalf. Before the announcement, speculation centered on whether the mayor's handpicked Police Commission retained enough independence once Hahn publicly tipped his hand. Since then, Parks' supporters cried foul, claiming that the mayor unduly influenced the process. "They based their decision on the merits—not on politics, not on pressure, not on intimidation, but on the facts that were before them," said Hahn, responding to allegations that he strong-armed the commission. "But I do feel rather disgusted that the Police Commission has basically honored the mayor's wishes and the mayor has paid off his political debt to the Police Protective League," said Rep. Maxine Waters, taking cheap shot at the mayor. In case Ms. Waters forgot, the new City Charter requires the mayor to pick a civilian police commission. What Parks—and his supporters—don't get is that all employment decisions are subjective, despite the best intentions. Citing only objective crime stats was plenty to rule against Parks.

      Calling Parks inflexible and detached wasn't needed to pass on his reappointment. Focusing too much attention on Parks' character, the commission detoured from their legitimate authority to rule on his continued employment. Had Caruso praised Parks more lavishly and avoided touchy issues, Parks would have been less defensive. "It is this type of inflexibility and denial of a systemic problem within the department that in part has caused poor morale and attrition of officers," said Caruso, fingering Parks for the lion's share of LAPD's problems. With emotions flaring, officials need to measure public statements more carefully to avoid potential liability. Chances are that Parks wouldn't have taken the commission's decision lying down. With the City Council Parks' only option, it appears that he'll get one last shot, though his final appeal won't change too many minds. Feeling maligned, Parks now seems inclined to go down swinging. While Caruso should have chosen his words more wisely, his public remarks also don't seem slanderous.

      Getting the bad news, Parks said he was "very, very proud of my service," believing strongly that he deserved another five-year term. When Caruso raised the character issue, it deeply offended the LAPD veteran and devoted public servant. Not getting rehired was bad enough, but concluding his 37-year career on a sour note was too much to take. "He has been less than forthcoming," Caruso told the Los Angeles Times, about using an unofficial performance review. "It raised an issue of character and integrity in dealing with the commission," pushing Parks to retain counsel to salvage his good name. Opting to pass on a new contract, the commission didn't need to antagonize Parks and raise undue controversy. "I think the chief has a lack of respect for civilian oversight of the department, which is the foundation of reform," said Caruso, hazarding his personal opinion putting Parks on the defensive. Given the seismographic sensitivity of the commission's decision, public officials should refrain from making incendiary remarks. A little tact and diplomacy goes a long way.

About the Author

John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He's director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in political consulting and strategic communication. He's author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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