[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.