McCone Commission

McCone Commission. The McCone Commission, officially known as the Los Angeles Police Department's investigation into the Watts Riots, was established in 1965 by California Governor Edmund Brown Sr. to investigate the causes and consequences of the Watts Riots. The commission was led by John A. McCone, a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, who was tasked with examining the events surrounding the riots and providing recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future. The commission's work involved collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

● Introduction

The McCone Commission was formed in response to the Watts Riots, a series of violent protests and lootings that took place in Watts, Los Angeles in August 1965, resulting in the deaths of 34 people, including Los Angeles Police Department officers, and injuring over 1,000 others. The commission's establishment was announced by California Governor Edmund Brown Sr. on August 23, 1965, with the goal of understanding the underlying causes of the riots and identifying measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The commission's work was supported by various organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the National Urban League, and the Congress of Racial Equality. The commission's findings and recommendations were influenced by the work of notable figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and Ralph Bunche.

● Background

The Watts Riots were a culmination of long-standing tensions between the African American community and the Los Angeles Police Department, which had been exacerbated by issues such as police brutality, racial profiling, and economic inequality. The riots began on August 11, 1965, after a Los Angeles Police Department officer stopped a young African American man, Marquette Frye, for suspected drunk driving. The incident escalated into a violent confrontation, with the police using tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd. The commission's investigation involved examining the role of various stakeholders, including the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, and the California Highway Patrol, as well as the responses of local and state officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Sam Yorty and California Governor Edmund Brown Sr.. The commission also drew on the expertise of notable scholars, including Sociologist Robert Merton and Economist Gunnar Myrdal.

● Findings and Recommendations

The McCone Commission's report, released in December 1965, identified a range of factors that contributed to the Watts Riots, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education and job opportunities. The commission also criticized the Los Angeles Police Department for its handling of the riots, citing instances of excessive force and racial bias. The commission's recommendations included the establishment of a police review board to investigate complaints of police misconduct, as well as the implementation of community-based programs to address the underlying social and economic issues that had contributed to the riots. The commission's findings and recommendations were influenced by the work of notable organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Urban League, and the American Civil Liberties Union. The commission's report also drew on the expertise of notable figures, including Psychologist Kenneth Clark and Sociologist James Baldwin.

● Impact and Legacy

The McCone Commission's report had a significant impact on the development of police reform and community relations in Los Angeles and beyond. The commission's recommendations led to the establishment of a police review board in Los Angeles, as well as the implementation of community-based programs to address issues such as poverty and unemployment. The commission's work also influenced the development of national policies on police reform and community relations, including the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 and the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. The commission's legacy can be seen in the work of organizations such as the Police Foundation, the National Institute of Justice, and the Department of Justice, which have continued to promote police reform and community relations initiatives. The commission's impact has also been recognized by notable figures, including President Lyndon B. Johnson, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and Civil Rights Leader Rosa Parks.

● Criticism and Controversy

The McCone Commission's report was not without controversy, with some critics arguing that the commission's findings and recommendations did not go far enough in addressing the underlying issues that had contributed to the Watts Riots. Others criticized the commission's focus on police reform and community relations, arguing that these efforts did not adequately address the deeper structural issues of racism and inequality that had contributed to the riots. The commission's work was also criticized by some African American leaders, including Malcolm X and Stokely Carmichael, who argued that the commission's recommendations did not adequately address the needs and concerns of the African American community. Despite these criticisms, the McCone Commission's report remains an important milestone in the development of police reform and community relations in the United States, and its legacy continues to influence national policies and community initiatives to this day, including the work of organizations such as the NAACP, the ACLU, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Category:Commissions in the United States