"No one knew what Rodney King had done beforehand to be stopped. No one realized that he was a parolee and that he was violating his parole. No one knew any of those things. All they saw was this grainy film and police officers hitting him over the head."
About Daryl Gates
Daryl Gates — Life and Legacy
Daryl Gates served as the Chief of Police for the Los Angeles Police Department from 1978 to 1992, a period marked by significant social change and challenges in urban policing. He is particularly notable for introducing community policing, a strategy that emphasizes collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Gates famously stated, 'The police are the public and the public are the police,' which encapsulates his belief in the necessity of community involvement in maintaining public safety. His approach to policing was not without controversy, as he faced criticism for his handling of high-profile incidents, including the Rodney King beating. However, Gates's focus on training officers in communication and conflict resolution reflected a forward-thinking mindset aimed at improving police-community relations. He believed that effective leadership in law enforcement required transparency and accountability, principles that are still relevant in discussions about policing today. Gates's legacy continues to influence modern policing practices, as his ideas about community engagement and proactive law enforcement resonate with ongoing efforts to reform police practices and enhance public trust. His quotes and philosophies serve as a reminder of the evolving nature of law enforcement and the importance of adapting to the needs of the community.
Quote collection
Daryl Gates quotes
8 quotes — follow a thought to its full quote page.
"They have, and bring with them, that upper-body strength. They have apparently developed that in their childhood and growing up, and they've further advanced in that regard."
"Casual drug users should be taken out and shot."
"We may be finding that in some blacks, when the choke hold is applied, the veins or arteries do not open up like in normal people."
"It was a department where you had honesty and integrity stamped right on you when you came into the Los Angeles Police Department. If you violated that, or if you were a dishonest cop, you were terrible. We got rid of you as quickly as possible."
"No police department should hire more quickly than they can assimilate the people that they bring in, and we did. I take responsibility for it. It was the first opportunity I had to hire, and I wanted to do it, and I take responsibility."
"There are going to be situations where people are going to go without assistance. That's just the facts of life."
"We're in a war. People who blast some pot on a casual basis are guilty of treason."