Statement Requesting Sheriff's Cooperation Regarding Deputy Gangs
Late last night, the Civilian Oversight Commission (Commission) received a letter from Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva indicating that he no longer will allow officials from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) to participate in the meetings of the Commission. This midnight letter comes just as the Commission is prepared to delve into the issue of deputy gangs within LASD. Rather than working with the Commission to address this important issue, the Sheriff has decided to instead continue his ongoing assault upon members of the Commission as a diversionary tactic from the true issue at hand.
The Commission will continue to do the work that it has been tasked to do by the people of Los Angeles County: to increase the transparency of LASD, to serve as a bridge between the community and LASD and to increase the level of accountability of LASD. The issue of deputy gangs is bigger than the Sheriff or members of the Commission. The County of Los Angeles has spent millions of dollars paying for the sins of a handful of rogue deputies. We can all agree that most deputies within LASD are hardworking, law abiding people who daily serve the community. Deputy gangs are a stain upon all those deputies who honorably serve the community and more importantly have trampled upon the rights and lives of far too many members of our community. This must stop. It's time that we address this issue head on, and that is what we intend to do.
We invite the Sheriff to work with us to address this issue. Sticking your head in the sand and pretending like it does not exist will not work. As the elected leader of the nation's largest Sheriff's Department, representing a community of more than 10 million people, we all deserve better. Work with us Sheriff Villanueva, this issue is bigger than you or us, it is about the safety and rights of millions of Angelenos.
- The Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission
Video Recording:
To view the video of the full meeting, click here.
Media Contact:
Jennifer Wicks, Community Information Officer
jwicks@coc.lacounty.gov
Office: (213) 253-5678
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