Mayoral Candidate Soboroff Sharply Critical of Chief Parks

Intensifying his criticism of Los Angeles’ police chief, mayoral candidate Steve Soboroff said Thursday that he would not reappoint Bernard C. Parks if he had to decide today.

Soboroff’s statement at a mayoral debate was his most striking criticism yet of the chief, clearly separating the businessman candidate from his chief backer, Mayor Richard Riordan. The mayor has continued to support Parks, although more tepidly in recent weeks.

“The answer is no, I would not extend [Parks’ contract] and I will tell you why,” Soboroff told more than 500 people at a debate co-sponsored by the Central City Assn. “Eighty-five percent of the officers working here don’t want to stay working because the crime rate is skyrocketing, the arrest rate is dropping and the morale is dropping. . . . They feel the political and the leadership structure of this city is fighting a war on rank-and-file peace officers instead of a war on crime.”

Soboroff later equivocated somewhat, saying Parks could win a second term if the department’s performance improved. Parks’ term will expire in 2002.

Other candidates at the forum--Kathleen Connell, Antonio Villaraigosa and Joel Wachs--said they would expect reforms in the Police Department before reappointing Parks.