‘Consequences’ if Chief Fong is Ousted
December 23, 2005
Chinese American leaders rallied behind Police Chief Heather Fong and offered suggestions to prevent reoccurrence of a racist and sexist video that led to the suspension of 24 officers.
“Any attempt to remove [Chief Fong] or in some way to limit her authority will be met with very grave consequences,” said Police Commissioner Douglas Chan, who echoed forum concerns that the chief might be scapegoated for the scandal.
Chinatown family association leaders urged mandatory sensitivity training, community policing, increased forums for dialogue and changing the department’s culture.
Anni Chung, director of Self-Help for the Elderly, said, “Over the last 20-plus years, we have really built a relationship [with the police] deliberately. We bring the elderly to attend the Central Station community meetings and … officers have always come out to support community events.”
College Board member Lawrence Wong pointed out how the Los Angeles chapter of Chinese American Citizens Alliance helped create a community public safety program. “It came out of a similar issue that we are experiencing now where the Chinese community felt there should be continuous community policing of the police. How can we do that here?” asked Wong at the forum inside CACA headquarters.
The key, Chan said, was for the mayor and board of supervisors to fund 750 police cadets over the next three years. Because of retirements and absences, the department recently didn’t have 250 officers available for duty, with another 250 who could potentially retire.
“This presents the Chinese and Asian community with an unprecedented opportunity to reconfigure a police force for the 21st century,” said Chan.
— Samson Wong
Comments
Got something to say?