Daryl F. Gates, Los Angeles police chief during the city's deadly 1992 riots, has died. He was 83.
The police department said in a statement that Gates died Friday at his Newport Beach home with his family at his bedside.
Gates' family said in February the former chief had been hospitalized with bladder cancer.
Gates was well-liked by rank-and-file police officers. He was also a tart-tongued career cop with a short fuse and a penchant for making controversial statements.
His 14-year tenure ended amid widespread criticism over his department's response to riots that broke out after four white officers were acquitted of most charges in the beating of Rodney King.
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