Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.(First Edition)
LOS ANGELES police have hired a former Scotland Yard commander, Alex Marnoch, to advise them, in the wake of the Rodney King affair, writes Ken Hyder.
Mr Marnoch, who was posted to Brixton in south London after the 1981 riots there, flew out to Los Angeles yesterday at the request of Willie Williams, who replaced Daryl Gates, the officer in charge at the time of Mr King's beating.
Mr Marnoch, who was a public-order specialist at the Yard and headed the Metropolitan Police's Plus Programme designed to improve police-public relations, will advise Los Angeles police on how to set up a programme aimed at changing officers' attitudes.
Last December, Mr Marnoch visited south central Los Angeles. He said: 'The big difference (from Brixton) was the organised gangs with firearms. Speaking to leaders of the black and Hispanic communities the attitude was the same as in Brixton. They didn't want there to be any more riots.
'And the police I spoke to indicated a willingness to change, although some said 'We're fighting a war against gangs'. I told them that you can never win it on your own. You alienate the community. They have a them-and-us situation, with the cops living in nice areas and driving 70 miles to work.'
He believes that organisations are most likely to change direction once they have endured a dramatic crisis. 'In Los Angeles, the police have had that crisis in the King affair. I believe they now have the desire to change.'
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments