    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [March 21, 1991]
    [Pages 295-296]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Police Brutality and an Exchange With Reporters
    March 21, 1991

        The President. Marlin, have you told everybody that I will have a
    statement to say here?
        Mr. Fitzwater. Yes, sir.
        The President. Want to fire it up?
        Mr. Fitzwater. I think we're ready.
        The President. Well, let me simply say that I've asked
    the Attorney General for an

    [[Page 296]]

    update on our crime bill. And he's also going to brief me on the
    Department's review of allegations of police misconduct generally, and
    then the Los Angeles case specifically.
        We've all seen those shocking videotapes and have seen transcripts
    of the incident in Los Angeles. And without getting into the specifics
    of the case, those terrible scenes stir us all to demand an end to
    gratuitous violence and brutality. Law enforcement officials cannot
    place themselves above the law that they are sworn to defend. This
    administration will investigate possible breaches of Federal law
    aggressively and will prosecute violators to the full extent of the law.
        The vast majority of our law enforcement professionals obey the law
    scrupulously--even in situations of great danger, even when they suspect
    that the criminals they arrest soon may go free. These brave men and
    women need the support of local governments. I have supported, and I
    will continue to vigorously support, honest police officers who obey the
    law.
        I have in my mind that 83 police officers, just in the last 15
    months, have lost their lives in the line of duty. They need the support
    of the court system, and they need the faith and the support of local
    citizens. Nothing is more important than defending a sense of national
    decency and promoting the rule of law.
        I was shocked by what I saw in that tape--that violence. And to the
    degree there's a Federal role here, I'm confident we will go the extra
    mile to see that that is fulfilled. I might add that the Attorney
    General and I remain fully committed to the passage of our crime bill
    which would give us the tools we need to more effectively wage the war
    against crime. And as I said on my statement to the Congress, I would
    hope that Congress would move fast. I think there's strong support now
    in Congress for this legislation.
        Thank you all very much.
        Q. Have you spoken to Chief Gates, sir? Have you spoken with Chief
    Gates since this incident?
        The President. No----
        Q. Do you think he should hang in or resign?
        The President. I think that's a matter for Los Angeles. As many of
    you know, I feel that in many ways he has been an exemplary police
    chief. He's been out front on doing things for kids. I remember
    attending the D.A.R.E. program out there with him. I remember
    attending--seeing ex post facto the wonderful job that the Los Angeles
    police did on buttoning up these crack houses. I'm familiar with the job
    the Los Angeles police are doing in fighting gangs.
        But in terms of this case, certainly I think the man is entitled to
    his say. And it's a matter, the way I see it, for the local police
    department. The violation of Federal law by anybody, then that comes
    under the heading of our business.
        Q. Mr. President, wouldn't you agree that a police chief sets the
    tone for his force and should be responsible for their actions?
        The President. I have said all I have to say about it. And I've told
    you some good things he's done, and I think the man's entitled to a
    credible hearing here. That's the way it ought to be. And nobody's going
    to prejudge anybody here. What we're going to do is look into violations
    of the law and prosecute any of the people that have violated the
    Federal law and speak out against police brutality--because what I saw
    made me sick. It was sickening to see the beating that was rendered, and
    there's no way, in my view, to explain that away. It was outrageous.
        Q. Have you gotten a report on the New York case, Mr. President? And
    have you got any comment on that?
        The President. I haven't had any report yet.

                        Note: The exchange took place at 1:35 p.m. in the
                            Cabinet Room at the White House, during a
                            meeting with Attorney General Dick Thornburgh.
                            Marlin Fitzwater was Press Secretary to the
                            President, and Daryl F. Gates was chief of the
                            Los Angeles, CA, Police Department. A tape was
                            not available for verification of the content of
                            these
                            remarks.