Prescription for LAPD: an Independent Panel : A new commission, free of the usual strings, can gain faith of everyone

Mayor Tom Bradley was set to announce today the formation of a special citizens’ commission to launch a thorough investigation into the structure and operation of the Los Angeles Police Department, focusing specifically on police brutality.

This is the latest effort by the mayor to assuage the local and national outrage over the videotaped police beating of an unarmed motorist, Rodney King. It’s a necessary step, for only a totally independent and comprehensive probe of the King incident can restore public confidence in the LAPD. The notion of another special “commission” often draws understandable sighs. But a properly conceived and executed panel can and has worked.

THE MODEL: The panel is modeled on the Knapp Commission, which 20 years ago probed corruption in the New York Police Department after the police hierarchy there proved considerably less than willing to investigate allegations of widespread wrongdoing. A similar, totally independent commission that is not reliant on the LAPD or the city for resources is needed here to go beyond the scope of existing investigations, including the narrowly charged panel created by LAPD Chief Daryl F. Gates.

The New York panel of five private citizens, named after its chairman, Whitman Knapp, uncovered evidence of broad, systemic corruption, which it called an “extensive departmentwide phenomenon, indulged in to some degree by a sizable majority of those on the force.” It recommended broad reforms to deter corruption, discourage cover-ups and encourage honest officers and commanders who were willing to blow the whistle on colleagues. The commission also galvanized public opinion and helped remove what had become a nearly blanket suspicion of all police officers.

THE LESSONS: The investigative panel encountered financial uncertainty when the New York City Council balked at renewing funding. But the commission, which spent about $750,000 two decades ago, was rescued with federal law-enforcement funds.

To prevent similar problems here, the mayor and the commission are expected to raise more than $1 million in private funds and services from foundations, corporations and universities. That should provide protection from political meddling and give the commission the independence necessary to do a tough and unbiased job. Thus, the membership of the citizens commission is of paramount importance.

THE COMMISSIONERS: To lead the Los Angeles panel, the city needs a person of independence and probity. Today the mayor will announce the appointment of Warren Christopher, a world-respected local attorney who was deputy secretary of state in the Carter Administration, and a public servant of the highest caliber. He is an outstanding choice.

All additional members need to bring comparable high-caliber talents to this commission.

Another pick, as a senior adviser to the panel, is James Q. Wilson, a nationally recognized expert on urban policing at UCLA. He is an excellent choice because he understands the monumental challenges facing police officers in modern cities.

Another excellent mayoral appointment as a senior adviser is Jesse A. Brewer, who retired recently as assistant chief of the LAPD. He brings expertise on the inner workings of the department and a reputation for independence.

THE POWERS: The commission is expected to work similarly to the Knapp model, which had a full-time, independent staff that included former prosecutors with law-enforcement backgrounds. To uncover patterns of graft and cover-ups, the Knapp Commission held public hearings and subpoenaed testimony from police officers. That is worth doing in Los Angeles.

In fact, the citizens commission--if it’s as successful as most people of good will in this city hope--could serve as a model for a truly independent city police commission. This crisis has shown that the current Police Commission--as constituted under outmoded City Charter provisions--is woefully under-funded and inadequately staffed to fully perform its task. Even when faced with its current assignment to investigate the Rodney King case, the Police Commission must depend on the LAPD to provide a small staff and minuscule budget.

THE GOAL: The fallout from the King beating unfairly has tarnished all police officers locally and nationally. To reduce those suspicions, the citizens commission must be prepared to stand up to the LAPD, the Police Commission, the City Council and even the mayor.

The citizens commission must be accountable only to the public in its quest to get at the truth of the strengths and of the problems that need correcting within the LAPD. In so doing the commission can restore full confidence in a proud department. It’s a task of the utmost importance not only to the Los Angeles Police Department, but to all of Los Angeles.