Abstract of interview, Lieutenant Bruce Hagerty, 1992-06-29

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PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY-WORK PRODUCT
ABSTRACT OF INTERVIEW
On June 26, 1992, Lt. Bruce Hagerty, Detectives c.o.,
77th Div., was interviewed. Lt. Hagerty was at 77th Div. for 10
months in 1987 as a Watch Commander. He returned in 1990 as Det.
c.o. Lt. Hagerty described the organization of the detectives
at 77th and their role in UO's, which is to provide intelligence,
station security and operate the field jail. He also described
the public's distrust of LAPD following the King incident and the
officers' reaction, including a significant reduction in
observation arrests and pro-active policing by patrol officers.
_ Lt. Hagerty and others he dealt with believed the officers in the
King case would be found guilty and, in any event, there would
not be wide scale disturbances. He described some preparations
for the verdict. When the verdict was announced, Hagerty was in
Capt. Jefferson's office. At Capt. Jefferson's direction
detectives and day watch patrol was held over. Narcotics and
Vice officers were sent out to provide intelligence information
to the Detectives, which was then relayed to the Watch Commander
and later, to the Command Post. He learned of the initial
incident at 71st and Normandie when Officer Virginia Macias
returned to 77th. He heard Capt. Jefferson tell Lt. Moulin to go
back to the scene and gain control, but pull out if necessary and
set up a Command Post. When Jefferson left, Lt. Hagerty was in
charge of 77th. He learned of the Florence & Normandie beatings
in a telephone call from his wife and then from watching TV. The
information about those incidents was relayed to the Command Post
and ultimately Hagerty spoke directly to Moulin, first asking,
then ordering him to send assistance. Moulin declined because
they had to set up the Command Post. Moulin then put Jefferson
on the phone and after Hagerty told Jefferson of the situation
assistance was sent. Hagerty also authorized 4 detectives to
leave 77th and try to get to Florence & Normandie, but they
couldn't get through. After that, Hagerty found out the Command
Post had not called a tactical alert and he directed Capt. Watson
at EOC to call a tactical alert. Lt. Hagerty's primary
recommendations/criticisms are: 1) there should be clear
direction and leadership, starting with the Mayor and City
Council, regarding what kind of police department the city wants
and how they should deal with such situations--and the officers
should then be fully supported; 2) LAPD should have had a single
standing plan.
RECORD NO.
r'(')PV "
LAW OFFICES
BIRD, MARELLA, BOXER, WOLPERT & MATZ
TERRY W BIRD
JOEL E. BOXER
\,fARKT DROOKS
THOMAS R FREEMAN
JEROME H. FRIEDBERG
DEN1SE D GOR GES
SHAROt-,; E. JO NES
JASON D. K OGAN
VINCENT J. MA.RELLA
A. HOWARD MATZ
RONALD J. ~IM
JOHN K. Rl.1lINER
DIANE P. SHAKIN
DARON L rocx:::H
OOROTHY WOLPERT
A PROFES.51O1'.AL CORPORATION
File:
Re:
WEBSTER STUDY/Interagency Group
Summary/OES Interview
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
Date:
To:
From:
1875 CENTURY PA RK EAST
23rd FLOOR
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORN'IA
90067
TELEPH ONE (310) 201-2100
FAX (310) 201-2110
June 29, 1992
Richard J. Stone
Vincent J. Marella
SUMMARY OF INTERVIEW OF LT. RICHARD ODENTHAL
Lt. Richard Odenthal was interviewed on June 24, 1992 at
1:00 p.m. by Vincent J. Marella. The topics covered in the
interview include the structure and functioning of the Los Angeles
Police Department's Emergency Operations Center.
The attached memorandum of interview is a summary of my
recollection of the meeting, including my questions and comments,
together with my mental impressions, conclusions and opinions.
* * *
C:\\t'P51\DATA\VJM\9007508.MS (3)
RECORD NO.
COPY ~ OF
104:\
I
LAW OFFICES
IRELL & MANELLA
A Partnership Including Professional Corporations
MEMORANDUM
File: WEBSTER STUDY /lnteragency Group
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
Re: Summary/B.C. David Badgett
Date: June 29, 1992
To: Richard J . Stone
From: Ken Heitz
Peter Morris
On Saturday, June 20, 1992, at 3:15 p.m., Ken Heitz and Peter Morris
interviewed Battalion Chief David Badgett of Fire Station No. 49 located in Los
Angeles at the Los Angeles Harbor.
- Battalion Chief Badgett functioned as the primary liaison between the
Los Angeles Fire Department and the LAPD in the Command Center at 54th
and Arlington during approximately the first sixty hours of the civil disturbance.
B.C. Badgett was responsible for originating and implementing many of the
procedures for providing escort services. In addition, he offers valuable
anecdotal insights into the actual functioning of the Command Center and the
degree of organization of the LAPD.
HEIT03E4.\IP
RECORD NO. \D4e
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MEMORANDUM
FILE: Webster Study/Interagency Group DATE: June 23, 1992
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
RE: Summary/U.S. Marshal Interview
SUMMARY
TO: Richard J. Stone
FROM: Thomas J. Nolan
Vicki I. Podberesky
This interview with Craig L. Meacham, United States Marshal,
United States Marshals Service, Department of Justice, focuses upon
(a) the United States Marshal Service's response to the civil
disturbances the evening of April 29, 1992; and (b) the
communications between the Los Angeles Division of the United
States Marshal Service ( "USMS") and representatives of the Los
Angeles Police Department ("LAPD").
On June 22, 1992 at 1:30 p.m. at the offices of the United
States Marshal in the United States Courthouse, Vicki Podberesky of
Nasatir, Hirsch & Podberesky, and Thomas J. Nolan of Miller &
Nolan, Inc. conducted an interview of Craig L. Meacham, United
States Marshal for the Central District of California. The
following is a summary of our recollection of this interview,
including our questions and comments, together with our mental
impressions, conclusions and opinions upon the meeting. This
memorandum does not contain a verbatim transcript of Mr. Meacham's
comments, nor has this memorandum been reviewed or adopted by Mr.
Meacham.
RECORD NO. \ D3j
COPY A OF (c,
I
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
KEN HEITZ
SUSAN SPIVAK
LAURIE L. LEVENSON
JUNE 24, 1992
RE: SUMMARY OF INTERVIEW WITH RTD POLICE DEPARTMENT
summary
This interview with Sharon Papa, Chief of the Rapid Transit
District Police Deparment ("RTDPD") focuses upon (a) the role and
resources of the RTD Police Department; (b) its planning activities
for major disturbances; (c) its relationship with other law
enforcement agencies; (d) a chronology of events during the
disturbances; and (e) an evaluation of the Department and its
reactions to the unrest.
On June 24, 1992, at 10:00 a.m., I met with Chief Papa at the
Headquarters of the RTDPD. The following is a summary of my
recollection of this meeting, including my questions and comments,
together with our mental impressions, conclusions and opinions,
based upon the meeting.
RECORD NO.
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SUMMARY ABSTRACT
Interview with Jane Ellison
Jane Ellison is Counsel to the Mayor, a position
she has held for 2-1/2 years.
Highlights of Interview:
Because Ellison was not directly responsible for
relations between City Hall, LAPD and the Police Commission,
and is a relatively new employee compared to other advisors
to the Mayor, she describes herself as "peripheral" to our
inquiries.
However, her insights and conclusions are
interesting because they contrast with Depoian's. Depoian
is the person who acts as the City Hall/LAPD/Police
Commission liaison.
Ellison believes that City Hall should no longer
take anything on faith in its dealings with LAPD. It should
insist on regular briefings on emergency planning; it should
insist on receiving the actual plans produced by LAPD.
Depoian, on the other hand, believes that he can and should
rely on LAPD assurances concerning preparedness, now that
Gates is gone.
Ellison is extremely uneasy about the current
state of LAPD preparedness. Depoian says that with Gates'
departure, he believes he can accept assurances that LAPD is
prepared for emergencies.
Ellison also noted repeatedly the conundrum
created by LAPD's desire to exercise restraint, and thereby
avoid provocation of more violence, and the fact that LAPD
passivity caused more looting. She believes that the new
Chief must confront this conundrum, and examine it in the
context of the racial tensions in the City. The resolution
of these issues must be communicated through the LAPD in a
way that gives guidance to officers on the street. Without
such communication and guidance, LAPD officers will not know
how to respond, even if logistical planning for unrest is
adequate.
CL921810.0ll
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
I
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
OFFICE OF 11IE SPECIAL ADVISOR
TO 11-IE BOARD OF POLICE COMMISSIONERS
CI1Y OF WS ANGELES
MEMORANDUM
Richard J. Stone,
General Counsel
and Staff Director ~
Sharon E. JonesSOo
June 26, 1992
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
Interview Abstract of Captain Julius Davis
(Wilshire Division
Captain Davis is the Area Captain for the Wilshire
Division. The Wilshire Division covers Fedco, Beverly Center, part
of Koreatown, Hancock Park among other areas. The interview of
Captain Davis is particularly interesting because he did attempt to
prepare for an adverse reaction to the King verdict by deploying
additional manpower for approximately a week before the verdict.
Additionally, Wilshire was under the field control of the Captain
rather than the Bureau Chief.
RECORD NO. \0.33'
COPY d OF (e
I
PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL/ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
MEMORANDUM
RE: summary/Interview Lt Allen, LAPD Pacific Divison
DATE: June 25, 1992
FROM: Susan I. Spivak & Roger L. Cossack
TO: Richard J. Stone & Terry Bird
===================-----===---=-----=====-===------=========
SUMMARY
On Tuesday, June 23, 1992, at 9:00 a.m., Roger L.
Cossack and I interviewed Lt Steve Allen of the Los Angeles
Police Department, Pacific Division, at the Pacific Division
Headquarters at the corner of Centinella and Washington
Boulevards. Also present at the interview was David Lee, a
staff member of Team #3 (Interagency Group) of the Webster
Study. The interview lasted approximately one and one-half
hours.
This interview focuses upon (a) the officer's
background, (b) the information available prior to the
disturbances, (c) the immediate response to the
disturbances, (d) an evaluation of intelligence, command and
control, communications, tactical alert, community based
policing, equipment availability, and coordination with
other law enforcement agencies, (e) the officer's
recommendations and criticisms, and (f) possible
investigative leads.
The following is a summary of our recollection of this
meeting, including our questions and comments, together with
our mental impressions, conclusions and opinions, based upon
the meeting.
RECORD NO. ID ~ I
COPY '1 O'F
PRIVILEGED & CONFIDENTIAL/ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
RE:
DATE:
FROM:
TO:
MEMORANDUM
Summary/Interview Sgt Stubbs, LAPD Pacific Divison
June 25, 1992
Susan I. Spivak & Roger L. Cossack
Richard J. stone & Terry Bird
SUMMARY
On Tuesday, June 23, 1992, at 10:30 a.m., Roger L.
Cossack and I interviewed Sgt Charles Stubbs of the Los
Angeles Police Department, Pacific Division, at the Pacific
Division Headquarters at the corner of Centinella and
Washington Boulevards. Also present at the interview was
David Lee, a staff member of Team #3 (Interagency Group) of
the Webster Study. The interview lasted approximately one
and one-half hours.
This interview focuses upon (a) the officer's
background, (b) the information available prior to the
disturbances, (c) the immediate response to the
disturbances, (d) an evaluation of intelligence, command and
control, communications, tactical alert, community based
policing, equipment availability, and coordination with
other law enforcement agencies, (e) the officer's
recommendations and criticisms, and (f) possible
investigative leads.
The following is a summary of our recollection of this
meeting, including our questions and comments, together with
our mental impressions, conclusions and opinions, based upon
the meeting.
RECORD NO. } 03 0
COPY d OF (
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I
MEMORANDUM
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL ATTORNEY/CLIENT COMMUNICATION
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
Richard J. Stone,
General Counsel and Staff Director
Sally Suchil and Cornell Price,
Deputy General Counsel;
Helen Jorda,
Counsel
June 15, 1992
Interview Abstract of Michael Yamaki
Mr. Yamaki spent a good deal of time during the rioting
on the streets and got a first hand account of what actually
transpired. The recurring themes during his interview were the
lack of preparation and leadership by Daryl Gates, leaving the
police force confused and directionless. Certain individuals
stepped in to fill the void to the best of their ability. Also,
the lack of equipment (especially the archaic conunu~ication
system), and the inexperience of the Police Commission to deal
with situations such as these were problems.
Mr. Yamaki suggested that the Police Commission include
non-civilian members and sworn personnel, and that the membership
not change so often. He also stated that the hardest hit and
most dangerous areas were those that have little government
support in the form of education, recreation and parks, probation
and police (i.e., Nickerson Gardens and Jordan Downs). Community
based policing is not necessarily the answer there. The people
need hope for a better future.
RECORD NO. \ 0 cl. '1
COPY d OF -~----
I
File: Webster Study
LAW OFFICES
IRELL & MANELLA
A Partnership Including Professional Corporations
MEMORANDUM
Re: surnrnary--California National
Guard Interview
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL-
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
SUMMARY
Date: June 24, 1992
To: Richard J. Stone,
General Counsel
and Staff Director
From:
cc:
Bri~ ~nnigan
KennetH R. Heitz
The interview with Colonel Edmund c. Zysk, California
National Guard ("CNG"), focuses upon the (a) interface between
the CNG and law enforcement agencies during the Los Angeles
civil disturbance, (b) the immediate post disturbance
communications related to the CNG, (c) the mobilization of the
CNG, (d) the activities assigned to the CNG while in the Los
Angeles area, and (e) the effect of federalization of the CNG
troops.
On June 15, 1992, at 2:00 p.m., at the CNG Headquarters
located in Sacramento, California, Arif Alikhan and I
interviewed Colonel Edmund C. Zysk. The following is a
summary of our recollection of that meeting, including our
questions and comments, together with our mental impressions,
conclusions and opinions, based upon that meeting.
HENN0428.\IP
RECORD NO.
("'(')PV '1 n,:,
I
LAW OFFICES
IRELL & MANELLA
A Partnership Including Professional Corporations
MEMORANDUM
File: Webster Study
Re: Summary--California National
Guard Interview
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL-
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
SUMMARY
Date: June 24, 1992
To: Richard J. Stone,
General Counsel
and Staff Director
From:
cc:
Brian ~-;~nnigan
/JCI tr
Kenneth R. Heitz
The interview with General Robert c. Thrasher, the
Adjutant General for the California National Guard ("CNG"),
focuses upon (a) the role and resources of the CNG, (b) the
readiness status of the CNG in responding to civil
disturbances, (c) the pre-planning activities for the CNG re
the Los Angeles civil disturbance, (d) the interface between
the CNG and law enforcement agencies, (e) the activities of
the CNG during the Los Angeles civil disturbance, and (f) the
effect of "federalization" of CNG troops.
On June 15, 1992, at 9:30 a.m., at the CNG Headquarters
located in Sacramento, California, Arif Alikhan and I
interviewed General Robert c. Thrasher. The following is a
summary of our recollection of that meeting, including our
questions and comments, together with our mental impressions,
conclusions and opinions, based upon that meeting.
HENN0427.\IP
RECORD NO.
COPY ✓ OF
( ,.,
I
LAW OFFICES
BIRD, MARELLA, BOXER, WOLPERT & MATZ
TERRY W. BIRD
JOEL E BOXER
'-'fARK T. DROOKS
THOMAS R. FREB1.AN
JEROME H . FRJEDBERG
DENISE D. GORGES
SHARON E. JONES
JASON D. Kcx;AN
VINCENT J . MARELLA
A. HOWARD MATZ
RONALD J . NES.SIM
JOHN K. RlIBINER
DIANE P. SHAKIN
DARON L. TCXXH
DOROTHY WOLPERT
A PROFESSIO!',;AL CORPORATION
File:
Re:
WEBSTER STUDY/Interagency Group
Summary/OES Interview
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
Date:
To:
Fr011:
1875 CENTURY PARK EAST
23rd FLOOR
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
90067
TELEPHONE (310) 201-2100
FAX (310) 201-2110
June 24, 1992
Richard J. Stone
Vincent J. Marella
Gerald L. Chaleff
SUMMARY OF INTERVIEW OF LT. GEORGE GODWIN, LAPD
Lt. George Godwin was interviewed on June 11, 1992, by
Vincent J. Marella and Gerald L. Chaleff. The topics covered in
the interview include the structure and operation of LAPD's
Communications Division, specifically the Central Dispatch Center
("CDC"), and the Emergency Operations Center ("EOC"). Lt. Godwin
was also questioned and gave his account of the events leading up
to his decision to call a tactical alert on Wednesday, April 29,
1992.
The attached memorandum of interview is a summary of our
recollection of the meeting, including our questions and comments,
together with our mental impressions, conclusions and opinions.
* * *
RECORD NO.
COPY ct
\Das
OF _--"(p __ _
/
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
RE:
MEMORANDUM
SUSAN SPIVAK, ESQ.
KEN HEITZ, ESQ.
JANET LEVINE AND
LAURIE LEVENSON
JUNE 22, 1992
COMPTON POLICE DEPARTMENT INTERVIEW
SUMMARY
This interview with Hourie Taylor, Acting Chief of
Police of Compton, focuses on the role and resources of the
Compton Police Department during the civil distrubances. The
interviewed covered:
A. The planning activities by Compton Police
Department,
B. Reaction during the unrest, and
C. Evaluation of the resources and police conduct.
The interview took place June 19, 1992, at 10:00 a.m. at the
Compton Police Department. The following is a summary of our
recollection of this meeting, including our questions and
comments, together with our mental impressions, conclusions and
opinions, based upon the meeting.
RECORD NO .
I
PRIVILEGED AND CONFIDENTIAL
ATTORNEY-WORK PRODUCT
ABSTRACT OF INTERVIEW
On June 11, 1992, Capt. Paul Jefferson, 77th Div., was
interviewed by Audrey Collins and John Vandevelde. This was the
second interview. It covered some follow-up questions from the
first interview, then events from late on the 29th through May 6,
coordination with other agencies, officer's recommenda
tions/criticisms and leads. Jefferson described the initial
period at the Command Post as chaotic and inefficient, but says
officers were starting to be deployed by about 8:00 p.m. on the
29th. He described significant equipment and communication
problems, plus three specific criticisms and suggestions for
staffing Command Posts: 1) it should be automatic that the
highest rank officer becomes Field Commander; 2) otherwise people
should be assigned to tasks based on training/expertise, not
rank; 3) more personnel should be trained in command post
procedures and readily identified and available at all times. He
described the LAPD efforts to protect LAFD units, including one
instance when LAPD gave higher priority to rescuing LAPD officers
receiving gunfire at 118th and Central. He described a
disagreement about whether to deploy LAPD officers from LAPD
buses. He described the use of other agencies--CHP the first
night of the riots and other agencies and National Guard later.
He made and/or commented on recommendations and criticisms
including inadequate dissemination of intelligence, need for a
single standing plan, meaningful practices and drills,
controlling the timing of the announcement of the verdict,
tempering comments by elected officials, considering alternatives
for dealing with civil disobedience, including those emanating
from outside LAPD, and having a more open attitude to outside
advice.
RECORD NO.
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