Bratton says he's sorry for remarks

Sunday, July 04, 2004, AP -

Police Chief William Bratton apologized for comments he made about a local black activist and others after last month's police beating of a suspected car thief.

"I'd like to extend an apology, a sincere apology, if there is anybody in the community -- or any other community for that matter -- that have been offended by any of the comments and remarks I've made in the course of this investigation," Bratton said Saturday during an interview with radio station KJLH-FM (102.3).

The videotaped beating of Stanley Miller, a black man, has drawn comparisons to the 1991 police beating of black motorist Rodney King and prompted state and federal investigations.

Since the June 23 incident, Bratton has called a local black activist a "nitwit" and had a testy exchange with his predecessor, City Councilman Bernard Parks, who questioned his sensitivity to minorities. Parks noted Bratton's past references to gang members as "thugs" and "terrorists."

Bratton, who has apologized before, reiterated that his comments were not meant to offend.

"Moving forward, I'll try to learn from this and find ways that people of this city, of all the races of the city, understand what's in my heart," he said.

Bratton has called Miller's arrest "a mess" and said it conflicted with how officers were trained to detain suspects.

Miller, who was struck 11 times with a flashlight, was placed in a state prison health facility this week after complaining of dizziness. He could face car-theft charges.