Banks on COA Resignation

I feel compelled to respond to some misperceptions reflected in “Many View Chief as Hurt by Poor Use of Advisors” (Aug. 19). The conclusion that my resignation from the Command Officers’ Assn. in June 1995 was a “protest” against the group’s failure to defend the chief of police is ludicrous. I fully understood the organizational decision to remain neutral in the controversy over the chief’s activities. However, I also felt that the COA was remarkably inconsistent in remaining mute about the rush to judgment, when it had consistently protested the slightest perception of impropriety in regard to staff and command personnel. Admittedly, the chief is not represented by the COA but, as the most visible representative of the Los Angeles Police Department, he is entitled to due process.

The fundamental rationale for my resignation is what I view as the inherent conflict existing between my duties as chief of staff and membership in the COA. The recent controversy over the so-called “Banks-O-Grams” is indicative of how good-faith efforts to provide consistent direction in disciplinary matters can foster resentment and mistrust among COA membership. At one time, COA directors had asked the chief to exclude me from meetings scheduled to resolve internal issues due to a perceived conflict of interest in my participation. With these considerations in mind, my involvement in COA activities could certainly have a “chilling effect” on the organization’s initiatives. Incidentally, it is puzzling to hear that my decision hampers my usefulness as an advisor. Members of the COA, including the directors, routinely consult with me for advice on a variety of issues including discipline, negotiations, working conditions and personnel decisions.

Finally, your reference to my limited background as a field commander apparently questions my ability to analyze command staff decisions. One of the strengths of this organization is the development of leaders by assignment to increasing levels of responsibility. I contend that managerial and command assignments at Southeast Area, Pacific Area, Metropolitan Division, Uniformed Services Group and Operations-South Bureau might have provided me with some idea of how the real world works. Acting as field commander in Operations-South Bureau on 12-hour watches for two weeks during the 1992 civil unrest certainly did.

RONALD C. BANKS

Assistant Chief

Chief of Staff, LAPD