After the Riots / NEWS IN BRIEF : Retired General to Lead Probe of Guard’s Response

Gov. Pete Wilson has appointed retired Army Lt. Gen. William H. Harrison to lead an investigation of the California National Guard’s response to the Los Angeles riots.

Wilson said Harrison, 58, would examine the Guard’s preparation, response, deployment, training and organization. He also will report on any other aspect of the Guard’s function that affects its ability to support local law enforcement during civil disturbances.

Wilson ordered all state departments to cooperate with Harrison’s inquiry and said the Guard’s records, reports, statements and messages concerning the riot response would be turned over to the former commanding general of the 7th Light Infantry Division at Ft. Ord.

Harrison will report directly to Wilson and should complete his inquiry in four to six weeks, Wilson said in a statement.

Wilson decided to launch a review of the Guard’s response after the reserves were kept in their barracks for several hours the day after the riots began. Wilson blamed the delay on bad communications between the Guard and local police agencies and a foul-up that kept the soldiers from getting sufficient ammunition for six to 12 hours after they arrived in the area.