Gates Should Stay, Hahn Says

In a move that will surely rile many of his African-American constituents, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn on Saturday came to the defense of embattled Police Chief Daryl F. Gates, calling him the “best chief in the nation.�

“I personally know Chief Gates to be a man of character and a man of service,� said Hahn, whose district includes much of South-Central Los Angeles. “He should not resign.�

Meanwhile, about 200 people called for Gates’ removal outside the downtown police headquarters Saturday, in what has become a regular gathering since Los Angeles police officers were captured on videotape beating Rodney G. King, a black Altadena man, on March 3.

Hahn said he was not looking to publicize his sentiments, but was questioned by a reporter from a local radio station while he attended an Easter egg hunt at a Willowbrook shopping center. The veteran supervisor was quoted as saying Gates should not be judged by his officers’ alleged brutality.

Reached later at his home, Hahn added: “I always speak what I think is best for the people, whether it’s popular or not popular.�

Hahn acknowledged that the chief is in trouble and should hire “a first-class public relations firm to build back the confidence of the public.� But he said that he believed the chief will weather the storm and the department will be better for it.

“He’s like the captain of a ship,� Hahn said. “He sees a storm and what he should do is batten down the hatches and tell the quartermaster, keep the ship on course. . . . There will be a better Police Department when it’s all through.�