Part Two in the Great Los Angeles Reform : Webster Commission offers the city wise guidance

The home video that made Rodney G. King a household name set firmly into motion a broad and timely reform of the Los Angeles Police Department. Wednesday the second great chapter of that historic reform went public: the findings of the Webster Commission.

The revolution began with the graphic images of four white police officers beating and kicking a black man. Those brutal pictures led to the creation of the Christopher Commission, an independent panel that came to the conclusion that the LAPD, for all its fine points, has been plagued by pockets of brutality, racism and sexism--and top management that looked the other way when “problem officers” strayed from the book.

Then came the second convulsion: the not guilty verdicts in the trial of the four officers who beat King. Within hours, Los Angeles was burning. Looters cleaned out businesses. Criminals assaulted motorists. Horrific pictures captured the early moments, but there was no blue line, however thin. Few police officers stood between the mob and their targets.

The Police Commission ordered an inquiry and induced two respected law enforcement figures--former FBI and CIA Director William H. Webster and Police Foundation head Hubert Williams--to take charge. Their report, released Wednesday, profiles “The City in Crisis” and provides a blueprint for Los Angeles.

Prevention is a top priority, and riot readiness is not far behind. For the inadequate emergency response, the report accurately parcels out blame to then-Police Chief Daryl F. Gates, to Mayor Tom Bradley and to City Administrative Officer Keith Comrie, who was in charge of emergency preparedness for the city. Major recommendations focus on what was missing last April: a quick and coordinated emergency response highlighted by teamwork between the city government and the Police Department. At the very least, the city and the LAPD must be fully prepared to combat a riot, and their plan must include mutual aid pacts not only with the Sheriff’s Department but with nearby police agencies.

Day-to-day police priorities also require an overhaul. The recommendations emphasize beefing up basic patrol duties--in effect, putting many more uniformed cops on the street. The report also emphasizes community policing. That recommendation reinforces the commitment made by the new chief, Willie L. Williams. He has already made changes, but he needs the help of the voters.

Communications are critical when lives are at stake. Proposition M on the November ballot would authorize a $235-million bond issue to improve the 911 emergency communications system, upgrade police and fire communications and ensure that most callers can get through in emergencies.

And when those calls get through, help must indeed be available. The Los Angeles Police Department is down to about 7,800 officers--barely enough cops for a city half this size. Proposition N, also on the ballot, would raise property taxes slightly to pay for 1,000 new officers. And Chief Williams says that those new cops would be assigned to uniform patrol.

All these efforts could put more officers closer to the people they are sworn to protect and serve. Currently, only 4%--fewer than 350 uniformed men and women--are on patrol at any one time. This must change. And, if the city listens to Warren Christopher, William Webster and Hubert Williams as it should, it will.