EMBATTLED POLICE CHIEF REINSTATED

A Los Angeles judge allowed outspoken police chief Daryl Gates, suspended from duty over the controversial televised police beating of a black man, to return to work April 9. But Superior Court Judge Ronald Sohigian set another court hearing for April 25, giving civic rights groups an opportunity to challenge Chief Gates's return.

The city Police Commission, which supervises police activities, placed Gates on paid leave April 4 for at least 60 days while it examined what it called serious allegations of mismanagement against him.

But the City Council, in a 10-to-3 vote which ignored objections by Mayor Tom Bradley, overrode the commission and agreed to a legal formula that allowed Gates to return to work.