Hahn Betrayed the Faith Blacks Had in Him

Once again Los Angeles is shaken by decisions made by a mayor pertaining to the Police Department. This time, it is an unnecessary announcement by Mayor James K. Hahn of his decision to not support Police Chief Bernard C. Parks for a second five-year term.

A chorus of outraged voices is denouncing the mayor’s action.

Most of these voices are coming from the African American community. However, leaders and businesses representing downtown and other areas of the city also are speaking out against the mayor and in support of the chief.

The mayor cannot credibly justify why he has chosen to publicly preempt the Police Commission when the commission is charged with the responsibility to do a performance review and decide whether Parks should be reappointed. The commission’s decision can only be overturned by 10 votes of the City Council.

The mayor’s announcement is not only an attempt to influence the Police Commission but a bold, in-your-face statement to the chief and the chief’s supporters.

The feelings of betrayal from the black community are not simply based on race but are rather because the mayor, during his campaign, promised an honest process that would allow the chief the opportunity to be considered. The mayor did not declare his opposition to Parks, as did some of the other mayoral candidates.

Many of us are angered because we believe, even if there are differences between the mayor and the chief, that the mayor did not work seriously to resolve the differences.

Parks is a man of impeccable integrity. He has been straightforward in his opinions about the best way for the LAPD to protect and serve this city. He has not made insensitive remarks to inflame any sector of our city. He has not pitted communities against each other. He is the most visible and accessible chief we have had.

Why then did the mayor choose to create this public confrontation?

The African American community supported the mayor not because we wanted special treatment but rather because we trusted him to be fair and to afford us the opportunity to be heard and to be at the negotiating table on city issues.

The mayor, whom I strongly supported, has failed to be fair and open with the African American community. His political advisors and kitchen cabinet are all white. He has two inexperienced, unconnected African American aides who are not consulted on important decisions and lack the experience to represent African American affairs.

The mayor made his first round of appointments to the most important commissions and came up with the same tired formula of one African American on the Police Commission, one African American on the Airport Commission, no blacks on the Harbor Commission, one black for the Department of Water and Power. This is no more than the representation we had under former Mayor Richard Riordan. And sadly, most commissioners live in the San Fernando Valley or on the Westside. The mayor was given recommendations that have languished since June.

One cannot help but wonder what he is really trying to do. Is he trying to prove that he is not controlled by the African American community? Is he trying to prove his strength with a very public hard line against African American advice?

The mayor was welcomed in our churches as a candidate and as an elected official. He wooed and solicited the African American community, and he was grateful for invitations to our socials and celebrations. The mayor smiled and accepted the praise heaped on him about his father’s service to the African American community.

Now the mayor’s smile is gone. It is a struggle to get him to accept invitations, and he does not ask for advice. He has made a few commission appointments at my urging. However, I get the feeling he wishes I would just go away.

Well, I am going away.

The mayor believes the anger will subside. He believes the rallies cannot be sustained. He believes he has enough resources to quiet community groups.

In essence, he believes he has the upper hand and that not a lot can be done about it.

The city of Los Angeles deserves better leadership than he has shown. His father would not be proud of that. He must answer to the people of this city for promises unkept, not only in the African American community but throughout this city.

Mr. Mayor, it is you--not Chief Parks--who has failed to earn the right to serve a second term.