Dispatchers are now required to undergo cultural sensitivity training, as are commission inspectors.

For example, a leak of thousands of gallons of water a day from the main steam system began in mid-August 1991 the staff said, and was not corrected until commission inspectors pointed it out in October.

Later, after a commission inspector noticed Sanchez walking strangely, he was examined again and rushed to a local hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma.

At Byron, the configuration of some structures was noted on the drawings incorrectly, but analyzed properly in the earthquake analysis, according to James Gavula, a commission inspector.

Commissioner Lusk's ignorance of this sector of the industry has been selective: he has failed to act on the need to legitimize livery drivers but has allowed their harassment by commission inspectors.

As an example, Ms. Weiman pointed out that commission inspectors, posing as riders, hailed 10,148 cabs in 1986 and 1987 and asked the cabbies to take them to distant, dangerous sections of the city.

Mr. Del Valle expressed doubt that city police would be able to do the work of the commission inspectors as effectively while still hunting murderers and muggers.

Another driver, Jose Rivera, said he expected the police to be fairer than the commission inspectors: "When the police give you a summons, they're usually right."

About 2,000 of the devices were recalled from food, drug and cosmetic plants over the weekend, after commission inspectors confirmed several instances in which the guns leaked tiny ceramic spheres containing polonium 210.

By coincidence, two commission inspectors arrived at the same time for a surprise follow-up.