Who Polices the Police?

The world loves a good conspiracy theory. Los Angeles is no different. Witness the thriving conspiracy theory surrounding the Los Angeles Police Department: that it has secret, J. Edgar Hoover-like “files” on leading local politicians. The files, the theory goes, keep politicians from taking on Police Chief Daryl F. Gates.

The department strongly denies the allegation, and those who make the allegation give no proof. That so many reasonable people still believe, without evidence, that politicians live under some sort of police threat speaks volumes about the fear of and suspicion directed at the LAPD.

Why? Some of the suspicion is rooted in the past. Beyond the LAPD’s infamous Red Squad of the 1930s, there’s far more recent history, in its Public Disorder and Intelligence Division (PDID). Before it was disbanded in 1983 as a result of a lawsuit settlement, the division spied on law-abiding citizens, including judges, politicians and critics of the department. The Police Commission said later that the PDID’s conduct “was the ultimate and direct responsibility of top sworn management, including past and present assistant chiefs and chiefs of police.” But neither the commission nor the City Council took any action against Gates or his assistants in that scandal. The PDID was replaced by the Anti-Terrorist Division; last year Gates appointed his brother to oversee it.

When the Rodney King beating exploded into the national news and a more aggressive Police Commission tried to discipline Gates, the commission was reined in by the City Council--including liberal members and former Gates critics who uncharacteristically defended the chief.

Gates fed the speculation that politicians had their backs against the wall with statements that appeared to be veiled threats. “If I laid it on the line . . . and it may come down to just exactly that, and when I do, watch out,” he said in an April television interview.

The LAPD’s image as being more powerful than elected officials was only reinforced by the government paralysis that resulted from the King beating. The controversy laid bare some disturbing facts about City Hall: that the Police Commission exercises little control over the LAPD; that the City Council holds much control but is not willing to exercise it.

There is no evidence to support the allegation that there are files on local politicians. But the rumors aren’t likely to die. That’s a sad comment on the widespread belief that local government doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to. No one polices the police here. The system simply isn’t provided a credible measure of accountability.