Third in a series

Re “Ted Cooke’s Legacy Shines Brilliantly”

After listening to the now-retired acting assistant police chief approvingly and lengthily   extoll the many contributions of long-retired Chief Ted Cooke to the Police Dept., Allen Azran was asked a crucial question:

Did Chief Cooke, the most controversial public employee in Culver City’s 100 years, get a bad rap?

Mr. Azran exhaled.

“At times he gets a bad rap. At other times, the criticism is legitimate.

“Overall,” said Mr. Azran, “he was a very strong figure.”

He did not portray himself as the final word on the Cooke Era.

After all, he was a young man in those days.

“I was not as savvy and advanced in my career during the height of Ted Cooke’s years,” he said.

“So maybe there were many things others saw that I did not see.”

Over Mr. Cooke’s almost 30 years as chief, “intimidation” frequently was used to describe him.

“He could be intimidating, yes,” Mr. Azran said. “I never felt intimidated by him.

“Mind you, I am this Jewish kid with a funny last name, who grew up in the Valley, who knew no one. I was hired by Ted Cooke and welcomed into this organization very warmly.”

(To be continued)