Amnesty’s statistics were B.S.! They were anecdotal, they weren’t real numbers. We had the real numbers, and the complaints didn’t rise, nor did the number of civilians who died from police shootings. Any rise in complaints had to do with Giuliani, not with us. And I say all that very emphatically, because I mean it very emphatically!
Back to the LAPD. What else is on your agenda?
For one thing, the organization became micromanaged. My predecessor had 14 different reports coming to him. Fourteen! Incredible! In the newly organized department, I’ll have seven: the Consent Decree, which, when I came, was a unit deep in the bowels of the organization; Anti-Terrorism, another unit that used to be buried. Then, Internal Affairs, Community Affairs and the three assistant chiefs. That’s it. The rest are delegated.
Speaking of Internal Affairs, what do you think about the department’s most recent complaint system? Some critics contend that post-Rampart, even the most frivolous complaints were thoroughly investigated, yet real misconduct was still ignored.
It was atrocious. It was not quick, it was not fair, and it was having a phenomenally negative effect on our crime-fighting capabilities. Prior to my arrival, Chief Pomeroy put a modified system into place. But there are still many changes needed. That’s one of the things about police work, it’s never done. But that’s what makes it exciting.
You’ve said that one of your strengths is spotting talent. What kind of talent do you look for in your command staff?
I look for ambitious people, people who think outside the box, creative people. I look for assertive people who are team players, but the kind of team players who always feel comfortable speaking their own mind. I also look for people who don’t carry grudges. I don’t carry grudges. I’ll fight with you tooth and nail over an issue. But if I lose, I leave it there. I don’t stop speaking to you.
According to every LAPD officer I’ve interviewed over the years, department brass has always been deaf to such dissent.
Well, I don’t know about the past. But it isn’t going to be how it is now.
What do you want to be remembered for when you leave the LAPD?
Lowering crime in partnership with the community.
Do you have what you’d call a personal mission?
Yeah, I guess I do. Personally, I’d like to make a difference. Professionally, I’d like to make a difference in relation to the nature of the ethnic tensions that are so prevalent in this country. I think the best way to do that is to professionalize the police and their relationship with the communities. If we could be the catalyst for that change it would be wonderful. We’ve been the catalyst for so much negative — in terms of police relations, and ethnic relations we have in this country. But what if we turned it around and became the catalyst for positive change? I think that could be done. That’s the goal.
Last question. What wakes you up in the middle of the night?
Nothing. I sleep right through the night without any problem.
