California IN BRIEF : SAN JOSE : Boy, Chief Agree: Fire the Officers

A teen-ager who claims he was struck by police officers agrees with San Jose Police Chief Joseph McNamara’s recommendation that the officers be fired. “If he is hitting people, he doesn’t belong in the job,� Phong Tran, 14, said. The teen-ager said he was struck by officers Oct. 8 during questioning about a burglary he witnessed, then taken to Juvenile Hall where he was held overnight. McNamara, an outspoken critic of the police beating of Rodney G. King, said he recommended the firings before the controversy in Los Angeles erupted. No criminal charges have been filed against the officers, who are on paid leave pending a hearing to determine whether the recommended firings should be upheld. Their attorney has contended that both are victims of the furor over the King beating.