Daryl Gates
Daryl Francis Gates (born Darrel Francis Gates; August 30, 1926 – April 16, 2010) was an American police officer who served as chief of the Los Angeles Police Department from 1978 to 1992. His length of tenure in this position was second only to that of William H. Parker. Gates is credited with the creation of SWAT teams alongside fellow Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) officer John Nelson, who others claim was the originator of SWAT in 1965. Gates also co-founded the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program.
Daryl Gates | |
|---|---|
Official portrait | |
| Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department | |
| In office March 28, 1978 – June 27, 1992 | |
| Preceded by | Edward M. Davis |
| Succeeded by | Willie L. Williams |
| Appointed by | Tom Bradley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Darrel Francis Gates August 30, 1926 Glendale, California, U.S. |
| Died | April 16, 2010 (aged 83) Dana Point, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Police career | |
| Department | Los Angeles Police Department |
| Service years | 1949–1992 |
| Rank | Sworn in as an officer (1949) Commander (1965) Chief of Police (1978) |
| Awards | Police Meritorious Unit Citation Police Meritorious Service Medal 1984 Summer Olympics Ribbon 1987 Papal Visit Ribbon 1992 Civil Disturbance Ribbon |
| Other work | Businessman/entrepreneur, talk-show host, radio commentator |
After the arrest of Rodney King and the subsequent riots, Gates retired from the LAPD. Much of the blame for the riots was attributed to him. According to one study, "scandalous racist violence... marked the LAPD under Gates's tempestuous leadership."