Justice at Risk by John Morgan Wilson Page A

with complaints against the department for racism, misogyny, homophobia, and brutality. Gates’s tumultuous reign culminated in the videotaped beating of African American Rodney King in 1991 and the full-scale rioting that swept the city after the acquittal of the four white officers criminally charged in the King incident by an all-white jury in suburban Simi Valley. After Gates’s forced resignation, a new charter amendment established a maximum of two five-year terms for the police chief, who came under the scrutiny and supervision of the five-member Board of Police Commissioners. Due to deaths and resignations on the board, and new appointments by the current mayor, the board was now predominantly white and largely conservative. The most recent chief had unexpectedly resigned for health reasons. Pressure was building for the appointment of a Caucasian chief from among the LAPD’s so-called “rank and file”—comprised primarily of white male veteran officers—who were concerned that too many recruits were being drawn from among minority applicants, reversing the hiring patterns of the Gates regime, while promotions were going less often to white officers.
    “There are several veteran officers in the running,” Templeton told us, “all of them well qualified, with the requisite experience and credentials. A mix of races, even a Jewish candidate, which is unusual. But the selection process has become politically charged, and the feeling seems to be that Taylor Fairchild is the front-runner for the job. He started his climb to power during the Gates era and is currently the assistant chief.”
    I put down my fork, getting interested.
    “A Gates crony?”
    “From what I understand.”
    “Eager to turn back the clock?”
    “That remains to be seen. But there’s definitely plenty of controversy swirling around him.”
    Graff wiped his mouth with his napkin, looking confused.
    “Why are people so upset? I mean, if he’s risen so high through the ranks during three different administrations, he must be pretty good at what he does.”
    “I know that he’s a devout Christian,” Templeton said, “which has caused concern in some quarters. His mother is Rose Fairchild, one of the wealthiest women in the country.”
    “You’re saying a Christian shouldn’t be police chief? Or somebody who happens to be rich?”
    Templeton smiled benignly.
    “I’m not saying that at all, Peter. I was raised a Baptist myself, and my father earns a bundle. If I’m not mistaken, the last two chiefs, who were black, were both Christian and regular churchgoers.”
    “But you just said—”
    “I said there’s concern in certain quarters, apparently because Fairchild is rather rigid in his religious convictions, which lean toward fundamentalism. He’s also very close to his mother, who reportedly funnels millions of dollars into fundamentalist right-wing causes, while keeping it quiet. Some people question whether a man with such strict religious beliefs and extremist political connections can run the day-to-day operations of the police department in the most culturally diverse city in the world with an open and flexible mind. The issue isn’t religion or money so much as tolerance.”
    I smiled weakly.
    “Or the lack thereof.”
    Peter glanced at me, offering a small shrug.
    “I guess I can see where that would be a problem.”
    “Not here in West Hollywood, thank God.”
    “Not directly,” Templeton said. “But anyone who takes over the LAPD inevitably has a profound impact on the entire region. The chief commands more than nine thousand sworn officers, the second largest police force in the country. His annual budget exceeds a billion dollars. It’s a very powerful position. Some people feel Fairchild wants to use the chief’s position as a stepping stone to higher public office. It wouldn’t be the first time.”
    I raised my eyebrows. “Sounds like a meaty assignment for a reporter with some chutzpah