Gates Offers an Apology

During an interview Friday night on television station KCAL, Police Chief Daryl F. Gates was asked by news anchor Jerry Dunphy if he wanted to apologize to Rodney G. King personally and on behalf of the department for the beating King received from Los Angeles police officers.

“Without any question at all,” Gates replied. “I’ve already said that I’d be the first to apologize to him.”

Gates added:

“He’s (King) on parole. He’s a convicted robber. In spite of the fact that he’s on parole and a convicted robber, I’d be glad to apologize. He did not deserve that beating. We are ashamed of the fact that he got that beating and no question about it, he deserves an apology or more.”