Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Thousands of police officers from around California gathered Tuesday to pay their respects to former Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates, one of the most polarizing figures in modern law enforcement.
Gates, who died April 16, served as chief for 14 years beginning in 1978. He helped professionalize the department while creating the city’s first SWAT team and a novel anti-drug program.
However, his final years as chief were marred by the Rodney King beating and deadly 1992 riots, when police were criticized for their slow response.
“The chief always spoke his mind and sometimes you wouldn’t agree with him,” Mike Hillmann, a retired deputy chief, said at the funeral. “But one thing’s for sure, you knew where you stood with him.”
Gates’ flag-draped casket was taken through downtown streets from police headquarters to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels.
Bagpipes wailed as the hearse, accompanied by motorcycle officers and mounted police, arrived at the church.
“Daryl was the Los Angeles Police Department, and the Los Angeles Police Department was Daryl,” current Police Chief Charlie Beck said inside the church. “He loved (officers) unconditionally, and we loved him back the same way.”
Gates was 83 when died of cancer.