William H. Parker (police officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William H. Parker
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Parker in 1965
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| Born | June 21, 1905 Lead, South Dakota, U.S.
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| Died | July 16, 1966 (aged 61) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Police career | |
| Department | Los Angeles Police Department |
| Country | United States |
| Years of service | 1927–1966 |
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William Henry Parker III (June 21, 1905 – July 16, 1966) was an American police officer. He served as the Chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) from 1950 to 1966. He was the longest-serving LAPD police chief. Parker is known as a very important, but also controversial, police chief in Los Angeles history. The old LAPD headquarters, the Parker Center, was named after him. During his time as chief, the LAPD was criticized for its actions. Parker himself was known for his strong views on race.
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Parker's Early Life and Career
William Parker was born in Lead, South Dakota. He grew up in Deadwood. His family moved to Los Angeles, California, in 1922. They were looking for better opportunities. Parker first wanted to become a lawyer. He studied at several colleges. In 1926, he started at the University of the West's Los Angeles College of Law.
Joining the Police Force
Parker joined the LAPD on August 8, 1927. He continued his law studies while working. He earned his law degree in 1930. He passed the bar exam, which means he could practice law. However, he chose to stay with the police department.
In his early years, Parker supported the police and firefighter unions. He worked to get them better job security and wages. He was an LAPD officer for 15 years.
Military Service in World War II
Parker took a break from the police force to fight in World War II. He became a captain. He helped plan and organize how prisoners were held. He also helped with policing in places like Sardinia and Normandy.
Parker was awarded the Purple Heart. This medal is given to soldiers wounded in battle. He was hurt five days after the Normandy invasion. The French government also gave him the Croix de Guerre medal. This was for his work in keeping order after Paris was freed.
After the war, Parker returned to the LAPD. He quickly moved up the ranks. He became a captain, then an inspector, and finally a deputy chief.
Becoming Police Chief
Parker became the police chief on August 9, 1950. He is often credited with making the LAPD a well-known law enforcement agency. The department he took over in 1950 had many problems. Parker believed that politics and corruption were hurting the police. He thought a new way of organizing the police was needed.
Changes to the LAPD
Under Parker, the LAPD became more professional. It answered more to police leaders than to politicians. Parker's changes gave the chief a lot of power. This was more power than police chiefs in other big cities had.
His reforms included a standard training program for new officers. He also brought in more active policing methods. These were similar to military peacekeeping tactics he learned during the war.
Police and Media
Parker did not like how Hollywood movies showed police. But he saw television as a good way to promote his ideas. He wanted to show how police keep order and "civilized behavior."
He helped create a TV show about the LAPD called The Thin Blue Line. This name refers to police as the line between society and crime. Parker was often on this show.
He also strongly supported the Dragnet radio and TV show. This show tried to show real police procedures. Parker gave the show's creator, Jack Webb, access to police files. He even let him record sounds of police cars. Dragnet always showed the LAPD in a positive light. It never showed police mistakes or corruption.
New Policing Strategies
Parker made the police force smaller. He changed it from officers walking beats to a mobile response force using cars. He believed fewer, more professional officers would lead to less corruption. Using police cars also kept officers more separate from the streets. This was another way he tried to reduce chances for corruption.
Controversies and Challenges
While Parker reduced some police corruption, the LAPD still faced issues. There were accusations of police brutality and racism. This was especially true towards African American and Latino residents.
Parker supported the city's power structure. He said it was not racist, even in the 1960s. Some critics say Parker's policies caused ongoing problems between the LAPD and minority groups.
Views on Minorities
Parker was known for making harsh comments about minorities, especially African Americans. He largely refused to hire Black police officers. For most of his time as chief, Black officers were not allowed to have white partners. People who committed white supremacist violence were not brought to justice under his leadership.
The Watts Riots
Parker's policies towards minorities are often linked to the 1965 Watts riots. These riots began on August 11, 1965. For five days, businesses were burned and looted. People were killed or hurt. Sniping was common. The California Army National Guard had to help the LAPD stop the violence.
The riots resulted in 34 deaths. Many were killed by police or National Guard bullets. Over 1,000 people were injured. More than 3,400 were arrested. Property damage was over $40 million. Despite this, Parker remained chief for another year until his death.
Parker's Philosophy
Stuart Schrader, a writer, said Parker was a serious and moral man. He focused on making things standard. Parker's ideas led to the "police procedural" crime drama on TV. He used Dragnet to share his vision of professional policing across the United States.
Edward J. Escobar, another writer, said Parker saw society in two groups. One was "civilized society." The other was "the forces of chaos and iniquity." This second group, for Parker, included organized crime, minority groups, and anyone who criticized the police.
Death and Legacy
William Parker died from a heart attack on July 16, 1966. He was at a dinner where he received an award.
The Police Administration Building, finished in 1955, was renamed Parker Center after his death. It was the LAPD's headquarters until 2009. The building was torn down in 2019. However, Parker Center is still seen in popular TV shows and movies. These include Dragnet, Perry Mason, and Columbo.
See also
- Billy G. Mills (born 1929), a Los Angeles City Council member who investigated the Watts riots.
