R. W. Davis and F. A. Knowles shot and killed him. (L.A. Daily News 3 Dec 52). At the first hearing Deputy Coroner Ira Nance stated, "The police aren't on trial here." However the police commissioners under public pressure lead by the NAA CP promised a second hearing. (L.A. Daily News 11 Dec 52).
Aspirins sold like hot cakes in the City Hall when a former vice squad officer filed a formal demand for his job back after being bounced from the force in a ruckus he started himself. Charles Stoker, three years ago, accused other vice squadders of running a house of sin. Everyone was cleared, but the Chief, C. B. Horrall, quit and several were dismissed including Stoker. The gal who helped him get the sack was Policewoman Audre Davis who was later arrested as a bookie (L.A. Daily News 11 Dec 52).
On top of this an alleged connection between the Force and L.A. pawn shops was uncovered when a woman, whose typewriter was stolen, reported that police had sent her to a pawn shop to recover it and there was presented with a bill for $30. Capt. Cecil Wisdom, head of the Police Dept. Burglary and Pawn Shop Detail, stated that it's enough if the Force notifies a citizen his property has been located and that it isn't the duty of the Department to advise the citizen that under the law he doesn't have to pay a cent to the pawnbroker to recover his property. (L.A. Daily News 15 Dec 52). Shocked at this reffection on
their profession, the California Collateral Loan Brokers Ass'n demanded a complete investigation of alleged kick-backs between certain pawn shops and the police department. (L.A. Daily News 16 Dec 52).
All this came just after investigation by the Bureau of Internal Affairs indicated that Chinatown gambling was police protected (L.A. Daily News 5 Dec 52). To round out all Chief Parker's worries, came the annoying bits of news that an ex-cop had just received his 21st traffic citation, that city police had killed their 13th citizen during arrest and that Traffic Officer Frank Schmitt admitted upping a speed ticket when he got irked at the driver. But because the police have to come out on top at least once in a while, the Police Bureau of Internal Affairs cleared Schmitt of the charges and instructed him to write plainer next time. (L.A. Herald-Express 16 Dec 52). Finally, the Institute of Public Affairs in New York officially rated the L.A. Force as only fifth best in the nation. (L.A. Daily News 9 Dec 52) and Chief Parker bellowed, "What have those cities got that we haven't got!" before he realized all the possible answers.
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