DOGMATISM, LOCUS OF CONTROL, AND SEX-ROLE IDENTITY: THEIR
RELATIONSHIP TO SELECTED VIEWS OF MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE
In an article for the Los Angles Times, (LA Times, April 1, 1995) readers were asked to comment on the performance of Los Angeles Police Chief Willie Williams; although comments were wide-reaching, readers were specifically asked to include their sentiments regarding criticism by members of the rank and file that he has not done enough to answer the attacks on the LAPD's performance made by O.J. Simpson's defense attorneys. Typical responses were as follows:
Now for the last several months, lawyers for O.J. Simpson, lawyers on talk shows and talk-show hosts have been beating up on LAPD and law enforcement in general. And until very recently, Parker Center and City Hall were deadly silent. Now, I'm sure for political reasons, they have spoken out on behalf of the LAPD officers. But it's too late. The damage is done. This is what happens when the police department becomes politicized.
Shame, shame on Williams for not actively defending the policemen who serve Los Angeles. Those poor officers who were put on the stand in the O.J. Simpson "show" trial were very professional, but were treated with disrespect, insults and scandalous attacks upon their characters and that of the LAPD, which they were representing. Speak up or leave Los Angeles for another job is my advice.
Williams has been thrust into the public forum only because of attacks on the Los Angeles Police Department by the defenders of O.J. Simpson, who is the only suspect in the vicious murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
As can be seen from inspection of the foregoing remarks, the public has some definite opinions about the trial of O.J. Simpson and the media that is covering that trial, perhaps the most telling of which is the person who referred to matters as "the O.J. Simpson show trail." Regarding opinions of the media an...