officers - The Black Vault

department.
As director of the Office of Administrative
Services, Dotson is one of two LAPD
assistant chiefs. 'l'he other is Robert Vernon,
the department's second-in-command
who has more seniority and normally would
be named acting chief.
But Vernon has been the center of controversy
over his role in a police spying
scandal in the mid-1980s and for his alleged
involvement in using a department
computer to gather and disseminate information
against a political activist during a
Pasadena city election.
Dotson, who will celebrate his 58th
birthday Tuesday, said he agreed to take
the new post for at least 60 days or "as
long as they wish me to remain."
Dotson became an LAPD officer in 1958.
He lives in Newhall, is married and has two·
sons and a daughter. ·
Dotson became a deputy chief in 1980
and made assistant chief in 1985, originally
as director of the Office of Special Services,
a unit overseeing vice, narcotics, internal
affairs, organized crime, public affairs and
the anti-drug DARE program.
•
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
David Dotson, l~ft • .talks with reporters Thursday
after appointment as interim chief, as
~ DZ!~I Gates, right, _was forced to __ ~ake a l_eave.
. ...
Says Bradley· orchestrated the vote~~~
By Howard S. Gantman
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl Gates was or~
dered to take a paid administrative leave Thursday
for at least 60 days in a move that further
divided a city polarized by the aftermath of the
Rodney King beating.
Gates, a 42-year LAPD veteran, called the action
by the Police Commission "illegal and inappropriate"
and vowed to file a lawsuit on Monday
to get his job back. He also blamed Mayor
Tom Bradley for "orchestrating" the vote.
"I feel that I have been disgraced and defamed
and I think it is a tragedy," Gates said. "It Will
not heal the wounds of the city."
I
St~lklng
janitors beaten by pollee last June: 'in
Century City have demanded that Daryl Gates
quit as police chief.IA3 ·
Several City Council members said they were
so outraged by the P!Ulel's action that they plan
to hold a special hearing today to examine ways
to force the commission to return Gates to the
post he has held for 13 years.
"I think it is a very c8nous, total disregard for
the great service the chief has given this city,"
said Council President John Ferraro. • · ~
This could include a form of end run around