“The lack of face coverings puts not only the public at risk but the very law enforcement personnel who are responsible for protecting our community,” Inspector General Max Huntsman stated in a letter to the Board of Supervisors.
“Failure of sheriff’s department personnel to wear face coverings erodes public trust and increases the likelihood that members of the public will also fail to follow this life-saving practice.”
Huntsman said he reported the issue Friday to the board and a watchdog agency that oversees the sheriff’s department. Both statewide and county orders mandate the use of face coverings and the sheriff’s department issued its own order mandating face coverings on April 15 — well ahead of state and county officials.
That internal order applies to all employees in contact with other employees or the public “unless in a situation where a facial covering inhibits officer’s safety.”
Huntsman said deputies have refused to comply and there has been a lack of enforcement.
“Office of Inspector General personnel have responded to the scene of multiple deputy-involved shootings at which no or very few departmental personnel have been masked, despite interacting with members of the public or being within six feet of others,” Huntsman wrote. “In some instances members of the department had masks but were not wearing them with the nose and mouth covered as required.”
Numerous videos have also circulated online showing deputies without masks, including while responding during mass protests earlier this summer.
Huntsman sent a letter raising the issue to Sheriff Alex Villanueva on June 25 and allegedly received no response. A total of 816 employees of the department have tested positive for the virus, according to the department’s website.
Huntsman’s letter also called for subpoenaing records to get to the bottom of accusations that the department may have booked a party at the Sassafras Saloon in Hollywood early this month, despite state orders prohibiting bars from opening.
Various social media posts claimed Los Angeles Police Department officers or sheriff’s deputies were in attendance.
The sheriff’s department denied that the people shown in the video were their employees, calling the allegations “categorically false” and adding that the video appeared “to be a hoax perpetrated by social activists.”
Bars have been closed by order of Gov. Gavin Newsom since late June as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Huntsman said the company booking the venue said the party was booked for the benefit of the sheriff’s department. However, the bar’s owner/operator, 1933 Group, issued a statement to Eater Los Angeles saying it was not booked by the department directly.
“We were approached by an individual who requested to book a private event to honor a group of first responders. It was not a booking by the LA County Sheriff’s Department directly, and we cannot confirm whether LASD staff were present,” the company said in its statement.
“Any claims put forth on social media are not substantiated, as we have no evidence that LASD individuals were at the event. Our team places the upmost importance on COVID safety standards, and we did everything possible to provide our staff and guests with two outdoor spaces that completely complied with currently safety precautions and social distancing expectations.”
That did not seem to satisfy Huntsman.
“Should this event have been organized or attended by sheriff’s department personnel, the lack of compliance with state mandates is another example of department personnel disregarding a state directive and sending the public a message that sworn deputies are above the law,” Huntsman said.
Huntsman’s letter asked the board to issue a subpoena or ask the Civilian Oversight Commission to issue a subpoena for information about who booked and attended the party.
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Alby says
Who cares if they wear masks or not. This is now just some B.S. liberal scheme. If it’s so important, then why did obama voters ignore it during those years of obamanation? Because it would have been an insult to those that wanted “Hope” and “Change.” Nevermind personal responsibilities like hygiene and face mask wearing… Or personal responsibilities in general. They would have fired at you verbally and have gotten unruly if you told them to put a mask on and wash your hands. And now that political gain is wearing off for them, they want to hype up something that has already existed, shut down the economy and send their immature brats to loot and vandalize the streets. To hell with authorities having to wear masks. Police don’t need to be inhibited while on the job except for the lancaster cops because they’re full of crap.
I pity the fools says
@Alby
You must be blissful.
There was no COVID-19 during “Obamanation”. Were you alive then?
Ignorance is bliss, Alby
Alby says
There was no covid19 because it was a different number. This is the 19th wave that been documented based on studies and now, coincidently, its being thrown into the political arena. I guarantee its gonna be forgotten after Trump wins the election. Silly democrats are just gonna create a new ploy to slow down a healthy Republican nation to cater to the lazy gimme gimmes that dont do jack for the economy. Slow Joe is desperate to get all the votes he can from whomever.
Loam says
No, the “19” in COVID-19 comes from the year it was discovered, 2019.
Alby says
That is debatable. Just like its debatably to say that it came from people eating fried bats. Much to research.
Lars says
Frankly, I’m shocked. You mean the same dept who has a verified track record of corruption, isn’t adhering to their own and the states laws? Wow. I am so shocked.
Lars says
Wow. This post is another level dumb. There wasn’t a pandemic during Obama.
Alby says
Thats my point. It wasnt acknowledged because it wasn’t of political interest. Do the research. Doesn’t matter. obama voters are in denial of alot of things. Sorry that I cant compete with your higher level of dumb. Actually its just ignorance.
Loam says
N1H1 swine flue pandemic in 2009. Over 12,000 deaths in the US. Around 500,000 deaths world-wide. Remember when Obama came on TV and told us to wash our hands and cough into our elbows? That was it.
And then there is the annual flu epidemics. But that season does not start with a “p” so it must be safe. Just kills tens of thousands of people in the US each year.
Lily says
Loam…Obama administration declared H1N1 a public health crisis months before it was a pandemic. Fact check using un-biased information instead of right wing, left wing biased wording which is deceptive.
Non such says
loam: noun
a soil with roughly equal proportions of sand, silt, and clay.
a paste of clay and water with sand, chopped straw, etc., used in making bricks and plastering walls.
Well, if the username name fits the comments…
Alby says
Just like non such fits you best.
I pity the fools says
There was somone once here called Trumpist#1 and another called Ron who supported the criminal Trump
Where are they now? Shouldn’t they be cheering their guy as he wins his re-election.
Or, are they in fetal positions sucking their thumbs pretending Trump’s crash and burn isn’t happening?
United I Stand says
They must have the same note that I have that makes them exempt, it’s called a constitution.
Lily says
United I Stand: This is a pandemic.
Lily says
The Constitution doesn’t have a problem with mask mandates.
Seriously says
SInce you are so very well versed in the subject matter you should have zero problem citing the part of the Constitution… or its many amendments that applies to this situation.
United I Stand says
Just few a questions. What are your thoughts on being pro choice? What are your feelings on The Death with Dignity Act? If you support either of these things who really cares whether an individual chooses their inalienable right to the pursuit of happiness. If you want to live in a bubble, awesome! Do it!
The reality is the real pandemic is malpractice and malfeasants on the behalf of the medical industry. For every covid death on a death certificate a hospital recieves higher financial gain than if a patient dies from other causes. If this were not true why would a family member of mine have covid on his death certificate when he died in an automobile accident? That last question by the way is rhetorical as I already know the answer and so should you. This is no longer about political ideologies this is about submission. Many refuse to submit to logical thinking and rather allow their Facebook feeds and news broadcasters to think for them. I will respectfully challenge that. I know a lot of people who got sick with covid, but honestly the only one who passed away was very old living in New York.
Huh says
Word salad.
United I Stand says
Quip appetizer.
Good for the goose says
They don’t wear masks, don’t wear seat belts, don’t signal when they turn, don’t bust rioters heads, and don’t enforce any of these rules. Simple laziness.
Alby says
Another example of why we need to defund the sheriff. They think they are above the law.
BLUE LIVES DON’T MATTER
LJ says
What an ignorant argument. And a very bold statement, Blue Lives don’t Matter? Are you serious? I do believe that there are bad cops, just as there are good and bad with any aspect of life, but to generalize that statement is just wrong
Really? says
Alby is off the meds again. If so many would just worry about their own happiness and stop walking around looking at everything through a microscope, they would learn to live a happier life. The article sounds like it was written by a whiny brat who got a ticket at some point.