By Darrell Park
The bigotry, corruption and absolute power that are defining traits of the LA County Sheriff’s Department are not new, but the Department has received unwanted national attention recently. A deputy, who had apparently been transferred to that station as punishment for dishonest behavior, claimed that he was shot by a sniper. In response, or to be more accurate over response, the Sheriff’s Department called in seemingly hundreds of Deputies to ransack the apartment building next door and harass, threaten and assault its completely innocent residents. Watch for settlements in the tens to hundreds of millions of dollars for the disproportionate raid that occurred, with even electric wheelchair bound residents being assaulted and their property destroyed.
Sadly, this was not just an isolated incident. Instead it is a microcosm of what the Department does wrong daily. Let’s break down what needs to be fixed:
Punishment for dishonesty as a Sheriff’s Deputy must be termination, not a transfer, and punishment for a hoax of this magnitude should be the same as a civilian would receive. More than one complaint from the public or the Oversight entity and a Deputy is pulled from service.
Oversight needs to come from LA County Residents with the power to hire and fire and the requirement to publicly report weekly on racial bias in all interactions with the public including: traffic stops, tickets, arrests, physical altercations, shootings, officer complaints and other categories.
Body Cameras for every deputy – no excuses and footage belongs to Resident’s Oversight.
Better screening of recruits. Currently we have actual gangs in our Sheriff’s Department. Hiring should be done by the Oversight entity. Full background checks for racial bias and other issues. Supervisors are criminally accountable for bigotry and gang activity in their Department. We don’t need super aggressive, bigoted deputies, we need problem solvers who are good at making sure that everyone gets home safely
Better Training of proven de-escalation techniques and strategies.
To counteract the influence of millions of dollars the Deputies’ unions spends on County elections, create a public finance program similar to the one the City of Los Angeles employs.
About the author: Darrell Park is a Democratic Candidate for 5th District LA County Supervisor.
MakeEveryoneAccountable says
Body cameras. YES! Keeping honest (or dishonest) people honest. There is no arguing with video (and audio) but none of this helps when cameras aren’t active for whatever reason (or more likely whatever excuse) or if anyone if anyone in the LASD has access to the recordings! Cameras should be active at ALL times while in uniform if not on break or in the bathroom!
Amendment Two says
They could start by investigating locally how gun permits are issued and if there are connections to campaign donations. Seems like not too long ago a certain mayor and his wife were issued concealed carry permits and she tried to board a plane at Burbank with a loaded gun. He has been on record telling people to carry guns illegally and to shoot homeless if they rob you. How did these two get concealed carry permits? Follow the money.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/crime/article/Tech-security-firm-part-of-DA-investigation-into-14438702.php?utm_source=Essential+California&utm_campaign=4c1e7da117-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_12_12_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6e35f7f85b-4c1e7da117-79213817
Tim Scott says
It should be noted that her permit had actually lapsed several m0nths before that event. If you or I had done that we’d still be in jail, if we had been lucky enough to survive.
Gowchong says
“Oversight needs to come from LA County Residents with the power to hire and fire and the requirement to publicly report weekly on racial bias in all interactions with the public including: traffic stops, tickets, arrests, physical altercations, shootings, officer complaints and other categories.”
That is a very slippery slope. This “oversight” will lead to all kinds of false accusations against LEOs. I could accuse any LEO of anything I wanted. There would be dozens of unsubstantiated reports from minorities and the LEO would be called into question.
Sorry Mr. Parker, but this is a very bad…bad idea.
Alby says
The most corrupt cops are the idiots that run the lancaster station. Every single one of them deserve terminal depression. They are cancer. They use gangs and goons to do their dirty work. They are predators and stalkers and provocators. They make victims out of people like myself. They are failures and perverts that hide behind the badge. It Is Positively Clear that they give law enforcement a bad name which is why I answer to state police ect. only. To acknowledge them as an entity of authority is like acknowledging a pedofile as a responsible babysitter except these pedo cops are armed, extremely dangerous and more likely to kill you. They all need to be replaced just like the mentals at the scumbag apartments.
FTP says
I completely agree. These cops think they’re above the law and need someone to police them. They are no better than the communities they try their best to destroy. These racist, power tripping, hateful bigots need to be disciplined in ways their parents should have done a long time ago. God bless you sir.
FedUp Moderate says
Other than stating the need for body cameras (which Deputies WANT), this author has his head shoved entirely up his ass.
Running for L.A. County Supervisor, is he?
Pandering to ignorant people is mandatory in that job.
He’ll fit right in.
Duh says
Watch out… Your post will be deleted..mine was thank you for the truth. None may ever see it. BOS monitors and sensors these posts.
Alby says
No kiddin. Its like they’re trying to write their own history. As if the future generation is gonna buy it.
Tom James says
Darrell Park is a liberal antagonist who is a cop hating election loser. Please don’t ever call them.
James Conservative says
Maybe fixing the Sheriffs Department would include not provoking citizens to resist and disrespect officers at every encounter. Typical liberal banter. Ride with them one night or day. You would run for your life Darrell.