Chief Gates’ Outburst

After reading the latest faux pas of our in-house “dictator” Gates, I now understand the term “misuse of power.” It is pathetic to see one man deliberately trying to bring a city to its knees in order to make his statement on Charter Amendment F, when the people of this city have made their statement at the polls.

As a voter, I was not entirely happy with Amendment F, but voted for it because of the need for change. If Gates had reversed his vindictive and negative actions (of eliminating all of the officers who testified before the Christopher Commission) with a positive action (of promoting his civil service captain’s list), he could have accomplished his wishes.

My sympathies, however, go to the dedicated rank-and-file police officers who are the beneficiaries of a chief who states that he is playing hardball and knows how to use power for his personal satisfaction.

If Gates had kept his word on his first announced departure date (April), the morale of Los Angeles, its citizens and its Police Department would now be better.

FRANCES PITTMAN, Los Angeles