Former LAPD Chief Daryl Gates hospitalized with 'very serious malady' [Correction]

Former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates, who led the department for 14 years, has been hospitalized with a serious medical condition, the current chief said Tuesday.

Chief Charlie Beck informed the police commission during its Tuesday meeting that he had visited the former LAPD chief in the hospital over the weekend. Beck said Gates, 83, had a "very serious malady." He did not describe the nature of Gates' illness.

"I ask everyone to keep him in their prayers," Beck said.

Gates began his career as the driver for former Chief William H. Parker. Throughout his career he made headlines, often verbally sparring with Mayor Tom Bradley and council members.

Known as the father of the modern SWAT team, he retired in the wake of the 1992 riots after the Rodney G. King beating trial. Prior to the riots, the Christopher Commission had issued a scathing report on the department under Gates.

Many police experts say Gates help developed many of the tactical responses used in modern policing. Gates, who attended Beck's recent swearing-in as chief, remained a popular figure with rank-and-file officers.

[For the record, 1:40 p.m.: An earlier version of the post incorrectly listed Gates' age as 82. It also said  he resigned following the 1992 riots. Gates' retirement was actually prompted by the Christopher Commission report, which was critical of his leadership and came before the riots.]

Update on Gates' condition

-- Richard Winton

Photo: Los Angeles Times

More breaking news in L.A. Now:

Early morning blaze in South L.A. destroys residential building

Anaheim business owner caught between city laws and taggers

Baby elephant born on Valentine's Day at Wild Animal Park

West Hollywood expected to ban retail sales of dogs and cats

Comments

[Miguel]

Gates and people in politics who have positions of power whether municipal or national, ALL had to do dirty work for the current establishment in order for them to earn their place. He was a brown noser for William H. Parker and in return he got his shot at being Chief of Police. During Gates' reign in Los Angeles, I was a young mexican american teenager, and I remember the headlines in the news about the "batter ram", racial profiling, police corruption, police brutality against immigrants and blacks, an increase in the amount of crack cocaine in the city and overall South Central became the place to be if you were looking to get crack, carjacked , shot, beaten or raped. But it seems that a lot of people saw him as a hero? Really? Do you remember those days? I know I do.

[Costa Mesa resident]

The only time I ever had any run in with the police occurred on January 3, 1990. It was at the corner of Olive and 3rd St. in downtown L.A. I was a visitor to L.A. at the time.

I grew up in New York where people crossing the street in between blocks or at "don't walk" signs was commonplace and people didn't think much of it. Where I grew up, it was never an issue with politicians, with newspaper columnists or in editorials. So I walked a "don't walk" sign without thinking anything of it until I was suddenly stopped by an LAPD officer on a motorcycle. He asked me for my ID. At first, I had no idea why he was stopping me or asking for my ID. He told me I walked a "don't walk" sign.

At first, I thought this was a joke. Then I realized he was serious and that I was getting a ticket. The officer didn't care that I was visiting from a city where this sort of thing is commonplace and that I never heard of people getting ticketed for walking a "don't walk" sign. He was very rude and put words in my mouth comparing me to motorists who drive past red lights. I told him several times had I known this is how things were done here, I would have been respectful for that, but he was having none of it.

Plus, it didn't help that the cop told me he's a native New Yorker as well. It is a fact that New Yorkers are bigger jerks towards other New Yorkers in California.

A year later, there was the Rodney King beating and a year after that, was the riot that claimed 60 lives and caused $1 billion in damages.

This was Daryl Gates' way of running a department, a way I have no respect for.

[Bob]

We hope and pray for a speedy and full recovery Chief. You are a hero to many, both in and ouside the LAPD and you are a hero to my family.

Bob Lopez
LASD Retired

[Downey Mom 90242]

Get well Chief! I have only heard great stories about you. My father-in-law worked under you and was one of the original SWAT Officers. You pinned my husband with his Eagle Pin for the Boy Scouts and when I see that picture it just shows the pride my family has for you. My husband has said that was one of the highlights of his life. He and my brother-in-law also became officers and they only have wonderful things to say about you. You are in our prayers and we wish you only the best.

[A taxpayer.]

Thank you Chief for all that you did for this city. Prayers out for you and your family.

[Ward Roney]

I had the privilege to meet Chief Gates at my DARE graduation. The list is endless of his accomplishments and contributions to modern Law Enforcement, I a well as many others hope for a comfortable hospital stay and speedy recovery. I continue to be amazed(really shouldn't be) of all the spineless, cowardly dirtbags who write vicious remarks and don't have the courage to sign their own names. God bless Chief Gates and the LAPD!
Ward Roney

[SouthBay Dan]

Best Wishes Chief....and to those of you that have the audacity to wish anything but a speedy recovery...I am without a doubt, positive that you are the part of society that when he was Chief, protected us from. Now I have weaponry to protect myself and my family. God forbid you or your thugs relatives put me or my family in fear for our lives. Hoping for your Speedy recovery Chief, your job here is not completed yet.

[Old Enough To Remeber]

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

L.A. was better off after he left.

The World will be better off none too soon...

[DDW]

I vividly recall the day that Chief Gates visited the Police Academy in 1996 when I was a recruit. He had long since retired but his presence there still created a great deal of attention. When he spoke to us as we were standing in the ranks, it was a proud moment for me and one I will not forget. He was certainly a more admired leader, even in retirement, than our then-Chief Williams or his successor Chief Parks.

[tj]

Far too many times, good folks ain't miss'd 'till der gone - and then its jus too dang late then... maybe forever. Oh, well - some folks NEVER learn...

[daniel edwards]

It is so ironic that anyone who critizes any imperfect police officer is labeled a "criminal"... I am a Marine with the 1st Infantry... I would die to defend our freedom and our right to free speech. How can anyone be for freedom of speech & at the same attack anyone who uses it. People< just like Marines, cops are people. There are bad cops & many more good cops. Chief Gates made many mistakes & the Warren Report found his leadership a disgrace. He resigned for not doing his job and his lack of respect for Americans of "color"... So please do not label this Marine a "criminal" for expressing my thoughts. Although i totally believe he was an awful chief, I will still pray for him & the family that loves him.

[John E]

Lets hope that Mr. Gates reacts to whatever "malady" has struck him the same way "normal people" do.

He was and is a coward, like a lot of cowards he was also a bully who thought nothing of trampling on others civil liberties.

Don't any of you apologists remember his courageous response to the riots? He went to a fund raising event.

Ironic that the very man who is now admitting that many of the policies that Gates instituted were failures was the same one who got to report on his "malady" to the police commission.

It's gonna be tough for Charlie Beck to be praising Gates when he's dead while he systematically dismantles many of the policies Gates imposed on the commnity.

[malloy12]

My father was an LAPD officer who served under and knew Chief Gates quite well. I was also fortunate to have begun my LAPD career under Chief Gates' leadership. Unlike most police administrators, Chief Gates had a genuine admiration and respect for the street cop. Chief Gates spoke his mind and hated criminals of all colors, not law abiding people.

Chief Gates was from another era. He was a World War II combat veteran and joined the LAPD in the 1940's. Those of the "Greatest Generation" that grew up in the Great Depression and fought in World War II were not "politically correct" they called it as they saw it.

Chief Gates was an innovator bringing the SWAT concept to law enforcement following the 1965 Watts Riots and the DARE program. This was close to his heart as his own son was an addict and felon. He did not want to see kids go down that path or to have parents endure that pain.

To my generation of LAPD officers Daryl Francis Gates is simply "The Chief". He is a leader that was respected by his subordinates and that in turn respected his subordinates. He remains extremely popular with LAPD officers, even with those that did not serve under him. Since his retirement the LAPD has had only Chief Politicians like "Broadway Bill" Bratton only concerned with their own careers not Police Chiefs. We all hope that Charlie Beck will be our first "Police Chief" since Daryl Gates.

Get well Chief Gates, our prayers are with you. You will always be our Chief.

[We are ONE under Spirit]

Darryl, the people that obey the law have always loved and trusted you. Your friends and family know the real you...that you are a good, kind and giving man who spent your life as a public servant in a very difficult community.

The criminal element never has anything nice to say about people who hold them accountable for their own bad deeds and bad choices.

Bless you Darryl...may God be with you in your time of need.