Former Police Commissioner of Philadelphia, WILLIE WILLIAMS. He's gone on to head Los Angeles's police force, where he replaced the controversial chief Daryl Gates. WILLIAMS took over last summer and his challenge has been to improve the relationship between the police and the community, and to build-up morale within the force. WILLIAMS has also had to prepare the department for possible further disturbances in the community, in light of the April riots over the Rodney King verdict. Two court cases coming up could ignite more rioting: the Federal civil rights trial of the four white officers acquitted of beating Rodney King, and the trial of three black men accused of beating white truck driver Reginald Denny during the April riot. Yesterday jurors for the federal trial of the officers were sworn in. Opening statements in the trial are expected to take place tomorrow.
Copyright 1993 Fresh Air