Caruso’s Firing Over Alleged Slur Sought

Stepping up their criticism of Los Angeles Mayor James K. Hahn and his administration, about 100 people called Thursday for him to fire Police Commission President Rick Caruso because the commissioner allegedly used a slur to refer to U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles).

Brotherhood Crusade President Danny Bakewell and City Councilman Nate Holden said at a rally outside City Hall that they will continue protesting until Caruso leaves his post. They also demanded the resignation of Deputy Mayor Matt Middlebrook, who they said has dismissed the incident without investigation.

Speaking to reporters earlier in the day, the mayor said he did not see any reason to ask Caruso to step down. Hahn, who appoints the Police Commission, said Caruso has demonstrated “extraordinary leadership.”

Middlebrook declined to comment.

The calls for Caruso to be fired come as the five-member Police Commission deliberates whether to reappoint Police Chief Bernard C. Parks to a second term. Bakewell, Waters and Holden are among those who favor Parks’ reappointment, which Hahn opposes.

The anger over the mayor’s stance has been exacerbated by a statement Caruso allegedly made during a private meeting with several top police officials Feb. 28.

According to an anonymous letter distributed to city officials by someone who claimed to be a participant at the meeting, Caruso referred to the congresswoman as “the bitch Waters.”

Caruso has declined to comment on the matter, and the police officials who attended the meeting would not confirm or deny that he made the remark.

At the noontime protest Thursday on the steps of City Hall, about 100 people chanted “One, two, three, four--Rick Caruso has got to go!” One sign asked: “Rick Caruso: Is this how you refer to your wife?”

Holden said Caruso set a bad example.

“If a police officer made a statement like that to any citizen ... they would be dismissed,” Holden said. “Why should we have a double standard?”

Waters released two letters Thursday, one to Hahn urging him to ask for Caruso’s resignation and another to Parks requesting that he investigate the allegations.

In a statement his office released after the protest, Hahn expressed concern about the recent spike in violent crime and the management of the Police Department. He did not address the complaints about Caruso or the calls for the resignations of the Police Commission president and Middlebrook.