LOS ANGELES – Daryl F. Gates, Los Angeles police chief during the city’s deadly 1992 riots, has died. He was 83.
Police Officer spokeswoman April Harding says Gates died either Thursday night or early Friday.
She had no further details about his death. Gates’ family said in February the former chief had been hospitalized with bladder cancer.
Gates was a tart-tongued career cop with a short fuse and a penchant for making controversial statements. He had been a flashpoint for controversy long before the riots that broke out after four white police officers were acquitted of most charges in the beating of black motorist Rodney King.
He was also responsible for numerous police department successes that became overlooked after he was forced into early retirement after the riots.
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