Gates, Daryl F.

Gates, Daryl F. (1926–  ) police chief; born in Glendale, Calif. He rose through the ranks of the Los Angeles police force to become its chief (1978–92). An adviser on crime to presidents and top government officials, he pioneered both the nation's first SWAT team—now an international model—and the use of helicopters to combat street crime. His reputation was tarnished after the notorious Rodney King beatings by members of the Los Angeles Police Department (1991). He defended his force against charges of racism throughout the trial that followed, but retired (1992) not long after quelling massive riots in Los Angeles following a jury's acquittal of the officers in question.