Church Calls for Gates to Be Fired

A national unit of the United Church of Christ has called for the firing of Los Angeles Police Chief Daryl F. Gates in light of community tensions prompted by the videotaped March 3 beating of motorist Rodney G. King.

A spokesman for the 1.6-million-member denomination said Thursday that the Commission for Racial Justice took its position at a recent meeting.

The Rev. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. of Cleveland, the commission’s executive director, said many Los Angeles residents have lost confidence in Gates, whose leadership “has added to the racial polarization of the community.” Chavis called the King beating an example of a growing national problem of police brutality.

In March, regional denominational leaders based in Los Angeles decried the beating and other reports of mistreatment of minority residents and suggested improved police training as a remedy.