ADVISORY/City of South Gate to Hold Press Conference to Announce Disturbing Discoveries From Internal Affairs Review of Police Department.

News/Assignment Editors

ADVISORY...for Thursday (Jan. 9)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

   Pattern of Civilian Abuse Revealed: Acting Chief of Police Calls
    for a Community Accountability Panel to Investigate Complaints
               Against the South Gate Police Department

WHY:     The City of South Gate will hold a press conference to reveal
         the alarming findings of an Internal Affairs audit of the
         Police Department and discuss plans to move forward with a
         Community Accountability Panel. The Internal Affairs audit
         findings include: A pattern of repeat officer misconduct
         involving abuse of authority; harassment of citizens that
         file complaints against officers; and a rate of resolution
         for complaints that ranks far below the national average.

WHO:     South Gate Mayor Xochilt Ruvalcaba
         Acting Chief of Police Rick Lopez

WHERE:   New South Gate Police Department Headquarters
         2525 Firestone Blvd., South Gate, California
         Corner of Firestone and Santa Fe
         (Old Firestone Tire Company headquarters building)

         For directions: 323/401-1514 or 323/440-4528.

WHEN:    10 a.m. Thursday, January 9, 2003.