Gates’ Remark on Police Lawsuits Called ‘Absurd’ : LAPD: Yaroslavsky says chief’s statement about the Christopher Commission report is trying to divert attention from the lack of accountability within the department.

Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates is trying to “divert attention from the lack of accountability within the LAPD” when he contends that the Christopher Commission’s investigative report on his department is fueling lawsuits against the city, a city councilman charged Thursday.

Gates’ remark that the Christopher Commission report has “become the plaintiff’s bible” is an “absolutely absurd and ridiculous statement,” Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky said. “It reflects a mentality that reminds me of the shoot-the-messenger syndrome.”

At a City Hall news conference attended by top members of the Christopher Commission--a blue-ribbon panel that evaluated the department after the Rodney G. King beating--Yaroslavsky said the group only “reported the facts. In the words of Jack Webb: ‘Just the facts.’ ”

Gates’ remarks, which were made before members of the San Fernando Valley Business and Professional Assn. on Wednesday, could only be interpreted as an “attempt to divert attention from the lack of accountability within the LAPD,” Yaroslavsky said.

The lack of accountability, he said, is resulting in costly lawsuits and settlements that amount to a “compelling argument for voting in favor of a proposed charter amendment on the June ballot to implement police reforms recommended by the Christopher Commission.”

“Those reforms are going to solve the problems within the LAPD that have been the wellspring of these lawsuits,” he said.

In 1989, the city paid $6,382,060 to settle police litigation cases, Yaroslavsky said. The figure rose to $9,089,676 in 1990, and to $14,658,075 in 1991, said Yaroslavsky, chairman of the council’s Budget and Finance Committee.

“The figure could reach $20 million this year--enough money to put 300 to 400 officers on the street full time,” he said. “If Daryl Gates had focused more attention on accountability in his department over the past few years we would not be bleeding city taxpayers dry.”

A week ago, the Finance Committee recommended settlements totaling $1.75 million in nine lawsuits claiming police misconduct. All of the suits were filed before the Christopher Commission was formed, Yaroslavsky said.

“In not one of those cases was a police officer disciplined in any way,” Yaroslavsky said. “Not even a reprimand was put in their file. It was as though they did nothing wrong.”

Gates did not respond to a request for comment.

Gilbert Ray, executive director of the Christopher Commission and a leader of the campaign in support of the reform measure, also expressed dismay over Gates’ remarks.

“If the significance and importance of charter reform was not great, the behavior of the police chief would be humorous,” Ray said. “(His remarks are) analogous to blaming the increase in city crime on the crime statistics.”