Statements

Sheriff’s statement on sb 1421 compliance 680 380 SIB Staff

Sheriff’s statement on sb 1421 compliance

SB 1421 COMPLIANCE

June 16, 2020

Under my leadership, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is more transparent than ever before.  With greater transparency comes greater accountability.  One area this has been demonstrated is our cooperation with the Citizen Oversight Commission (COC) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG). 

In anticipation of the colossal amount of requests for records prior to the bills enactment on January 1, 2019, we requested funding from the Board of Supervisors for additional personnel and computer software to address the added workload created by the SB 1421 mandate.  To date, our requests have been ignored. 

In November 2019, I reorganized the Audit and Accountability Bureau (AAB), on a temporary basis, in order to dedicate resources to the SB 1421 project.  We also implemented a tracking system specifically for COC and OIG requests, to ensure a timely response.  

In the calendar year of 2019, the Department responded to 43 known requests from the COC and OIG.  From January 1, 2020 to May 1, 2020, the Department has responded to 59 of the 62 requests made by the COC and OIG.  

Since November 2019, AAB has received a total of 2,848 requests for review.  As of June 11, 2020, AAB has responded to 75% of the requests.  

The true goals and values of government can be found in how the budget is allocated.  If something is deemed important, the Board of Supervisors has the responsibility and obligation to fully fund it.  Due to our limited staffing and our lack of SB 1421 specified funding, the fulfillment of SB 1421 compliance has been difficult.  We will continue to do the best we can with what we have in place. 

Please visit LASD.org to explore my transparency promise.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva

If you have concerns regarding the above, share your voice.  You may contact your Board of Supervisors at the below:
 County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors

Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District
Phone: (213) 974-4111
[email protected]

Mark Ridley-Thomas
Supervisor, Second District
Phone: (213) 974-2222
[email protected]

Sheila Kuehl
Supervisor, Third District
Phone: (213) 974-3333
[email protected]

Janice Hahn
Supervisor, Fourth District
Phone: (213) 974-4444
[email protected]

Kathryn Barger – CHAIR
Supervisor, Fifth District
Phone: (213) 974-5555
[email protected]

Not sure who your Supervisor is?  Click Link to Find Out: http://bos.lacounty.gov/About-Us/Board-of-Supervisors

DEFUNDING THE LASD BUDGET 145.4M Dollars 680 380 SIB Staff

DEFUNDING THE LASD BUDGET 145.4M Dollars

DEFUNDING THE LASD BUDGET $145.4M

June 27, 2020

The budget cuts announced by county CEO Sachi Hamai are targeted specifically to hurt public safety in
Los Angeles County, while sparing virtually every other function of county government from any reductions.
The CEO’s recommended budget for the LASD from May was $3.5 billion, a shortfall of $400 million from
the true cost of running the largest sheriff’s department in the nation. As we have been busy reorganizing
around the first massive reduction, the Board of Supervisors are now set to force the community to suffer a
major loss of law enforcement resources with a second round of cuts to the tune of $145.4 million. This is
literally balancing the entire county budget on the back of the LASD.

Half of the LASD’s budget is offset by revenue from contracts that provide law enforcement services to 42
contract cities, the Los Angeles Superior Court system, the Los Angeles Community College District, the
Metropolitan Transit Authority, and other contracts. The other half is what is known as “Net County Cost” or
NCC, and that is the cost of providing patrol to the 131 unincorporated communities throughout the county,
running the nation’s largest jail system, and the specialized detective units who serve the entire county such
as Homicide Bureau, Special Victim’s Bureau, Major Crimes Bureau, Safe Streets Bureau, and Fraud and
Cyber Crimes Bureau.

The CEO’s proposed budget recommends the following LASD units be eliminated:

• Safe Streets Bureau (Gang Enforcement)
• Parks Bureau
• Special Victims Bureau (Sexual/Physical Abuse of Children, Rape, Human Trafficking)
• Community Partnership Bureau (COPS Team)
• Fraud & Cybercrimes Bureau
• Major Crimes Bureau

The CEO also recommends drastically reducing the following units:

• Custody Operations (various units)
• Mental Health Evaluation Teams (MET)

The CEO and the Board have embraced the “Defund the Police” movement and are cynically hiding behind
accounting maneuvers, knowing well that loss of revenue in sales tax can be made up by equitably
distributing more stable revenue streams like property taxes. This is not acceptable and a willful
abandonment of one of the top priorities of all local government: keeping people safe.

These cuts come at a time when jails were de-populated of over five thousand inmates in order to combat
the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that restrictions are lifting, violent crimes, such as murder, are on the rise
across the County and other metropolitan areas such as New York City and Chicago. Now is not the time to
cut vital law enforcement services, that should be the last thing cut. Curiously, the bloated county
bureaucracy remains virtually intact, which should always be the first to suffer reductions. The priorities of
the Board of Supervisors are not the priorities of the good people of Los Angeles County.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva

Multiagency OIS Taskforce 680 380 SIB Staff

Multiagency OIS Taskforce

Multiagency OIS Taskforce

June 25, 2020

A statement from Sheriff Alex Villanueva:

“As a progressive, I am constantly exploring new avenues to move us forward in policing. Recent events have led community based groups to highlight the issue of law enforcement agencies investigating their own shootings. I hear you. Other law enforcement leaders and I met early this week to discuss the creation of a Multiagency Officer Involved Shooting Taskforce. The main goal of this taskforce will be for Los Angeles County agencies to form a joint taskforce of investigators from multiple agencies to conduct investigations for use of force incidents which result in death. I have complete confidence in our homicide detectives, and the other detectives throughout our County, but we want to continue building trust, increasing transparency and making the process more reassuring for our communities. Moving forward, we are forming a steering group with stakeholders from across the county, which also includes the Office of the District Attorney and State Office of the Attorney General. In the coming weeks, we will access the resources needed to develop a definitive plan and make this concept a reality.

The community wants change and we will usher in that change, together.”

If you have concerns regarding the above, share your voice.  You may contact your Board of Supervisors at the below:
 County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors

Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District
Phone: (213) 974-4111
[email protected]

Mark Ridley-Thomas
Supervisor, Second District
Phone: (213) 974-2222
[email protected]

Sheila Kuehl
Supervisor, Third District
Phone: (213) 974-3333
[email protected]

Janice Hahn
Supervisor, Fourth District
Phone: (213) 974-4444
[email protected]

Kathryn Barger – CHAIR
Supervisor, Fifth District
Phone: (213) 974-5555
[email protected]

Not sure who your Supervisor is?  Click Link to Find Out: http://bos.lacounty.gov/About-Us/Board-of-Supervisors

Graphic of Sheriff Villanueva next to Hall Of Justice
SB 1421 Compliance 1024 249 SIB Staff

SB 1421 Compliance

SB 1421 Compliance

Under my leadership, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is more transparent than ever before. With greater transparency comes greater accountability. One area this has been demonstrated is our cooperation with the Citizen Oversight Commission (COC) and the Office of Inspector General (OIG).

In anticipation of the colossal amount of requests for records prior to the bills enactment on January 1, 2019, we requested funding from the Board of Supervisors for additional personnel and computer software to address the added workload created by the SB 1421 mandate. To date, our requests have been ignored.

In November 2019, I reorganized the Audit and Accountability Bureau (AAB), on a temporary basis, in order to dedicate resources to the SB 1421 project. We also implemented a tracking system specifically for COC and OIG requests, to ensure a timely response.

In the calendar year of 2019, the Department responded to 43 known requests from the COC and OIG. From January 1, 2020 to May 1, 2020, the Department has responded to 59 of the 62 requests made by the COC and OIG.

Since November 2019, AAB has received a total of 2,848 requests for review. As of June 11, 2020, AAB has responded to 75% of the requests.

The true goals and values of government can be found in how the budget is allocated. If something is deemed important, the Board of Supervisors has the responsibility and obligation to fully fund it. Due to our limited staffing and our lack of SB 1421 specified funding, the fulfillment of SB 1421 compliance has been difficult. We will continue to do the best we can with what we have in place.

Please visit LASD.org to explore my transparency promise.

If you have concerns regarding the above, share your voice.  You may contact your Board of Supervisors at the below:
 County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors

Hilda L. Solis
Supervisor, First District
Phone: (213) 974-4111
[email protected]

Mark Ridley-Thomas
Supervisor, Second District
Phone: (213) 974-2222
[email protected]

Sheila Kuehl
Supervisor, Third District
Phone: (213) 974-3333
[email protected]

Janice Hahn
Supervisor, Fourth District
Phone: (213) 974-4444
[email protected]

Kathryn Barger – CHAIR
Supervisor, Fifth District
Phone: (213) 974-5555
[email protected]

Not sure who your Supervisor is?  Click Link to Find Out: http://bos.lacounty.gov/About-Us/Board-of-Supervisors

CURFEW ORDER AND PUBLIC TRUST June 3, 2020 680 380 SIB Staff

CURFEW ORDER AND PUBLIC TRUST June 3, 2020

CURFEW ORDER AND PUBLIC TRUST – June 3, 2020

The residents of Los Angeles County are unified in support of the family of George Floyd, and against criminal actions by law enforcement.  We stand together in this endeavor.  Unfortunately, small groups of individuals seeking to incite violence and looting have disrupted some of the peaceful protests with criminal behavior.  These actions forced the need for a curfew throughout Los Angeles County in order to protect life, protect property, and restore order.

Over the past 24 hours, protesters have not allowed criminal behavior to overshadow their message, and law enforcement has been able to isolate and apprehend many individuals involved in criminal behavior.

Consistent with the First Amendment Rights of all citizens, the Sheriff’s Department will be enforcing the curfew order from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM. 

While law-enforcement has fully mobilized to protect the community, trust is a two-way street.  In doing so, I am signaling my trust in the public, so we can all work together in partnership during these troubling times.

Sheriff addresses Social Media videos 680 380 SIB Staff

Sheriff addresses Social Media videos

SOCIAL MEDIA VIDEOS – June 3, 2020

I am aware of two videos circulating on social media involving my deputies. As with all use of force incidents, these cases will be thoroughly investigated, and we will also examine the tactics, policies & procedures.

As I have stated before, this is another example of why we so desperately need the Board of Supervisors to fully fund the LASD body-worn camera project.  The public deserves full transparency.

safer at home order 680 380 SIB Staff

safer at home order

Safer At Home Order

The safety and security of all LA Co residents has always been my top priority. Please view my videotaped message on my social media platforms, explaining how LASD will respond to the “Safer at Home” program implementation and enforcement measures. Together, as a community, we will get through these tough times.

'Safer at Home' Order

Posted by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on Thursday, March 19, 2020
Sheriff’s Statement on Declared Local Health Emergency 680 380 SIB Staff

Sheriff’s Statement on Declared Local Health Emergency

Sheriff’s Statement on Declared Local Health Emergency

LASD Executive Coronavirus Briefing and Planning Meeting

On March 11, 2020, Sheriff Villanueva and the Department's executive team met at the Los Angeles County Emergency Operations Center to discuss the Department's response to, and plan for, the potential spread of Covid-19 through the County of Los Angeles. The executive team toured the Emergency Operations Center and was briefed by the Department's tactical planning experts which are assigned to the Emergency Operations Bureau. Response readiness plans as well as equipment and resource needs were discussed in an effort to better prepare the Sheriff's Department to respond to any request if needed. Currently the Sheriff's Department is working with the County of Los Angeles Office of Emergency Management, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Health Services, the Correctional Health Services unit, and various other County/City agencies to ensure we are all ready for a county-wide response.To read more, please visit: https://sheriff33.lasd.org/sheriff-statement-corona-virus/ or https://sheriff33.lasd.org/coronavirus-update/, and http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/Coronavirus/#

Posted by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Earlier today the Board of Supervisors declared a local public health emergency in the County of Los Angeles, in response to the novel coronavirus.  Although this declaration is precautionary, I want to assure the residents of this great county your Sheriff’s Department is prepared to keep residents safe.

The Sheriff’s Operation Center is staffed 24 hours a day with personnel continuously and vigilantly monitoring the needs for resources across Los Angeles County.  Our Emergency Operations Bureau is co-located and in constant communication with the County of Los Angeles Office of Emergency Management to ensure we are ready for a county-wide response, if needed. 

We are collaborating with personnel from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Correctional Health Services unit, to ensure adequate resources are available to respond to any potential outbreak, not only for the public, but for those incarcerated in our jail system, as well. 

I want to assure the public we will do everything in our power to keep our residents safe. But it doesn’t just stop there; I urge you to take precautionary measures, to help ensure your own safety.

The Department of Public Health recommends the following to protect ourselves against respiratory illnesses:

  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Wash your hands often, for at least 20 seconds at a time,with soap and water. Do this especially after using the restroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Limit close contact, like kissing and sharing cups or utensils, with people who are sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular, household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you do not have a tissue, use your sleeve, not your hands.
  • Face masks are most effective when used appropriately by health care workers and people who are sick.
  • Get immunized to prevent influenza, if you have not already done so this season.

As the Department of Public Health mentioned, please continue to offer welcoming environments for ALL members of our community.  Neither the California State Public Health Department nor Los Angeles County Public Health recommend that any regularly-scheduled events be canceled due to novel corona virus.  There is no community spread of the novel corona virus in the United States at this time, and the risk to the general public remains low. 

Sheriffs response on Border Patrol Tactical Unit Deployment 680 380 SIB Staff

Sheriffs response on Border Patrol Tactical Unit Deployment

SHERIFFS RESPONSE ON BORDER PATROL TACTICAL UNIT DEPLOYMENT

According to the New York Times today, President Trump is deploying elite tactical border patrol agents known as BORTAC (Border Patrol Tactical Unit) to so called sanctuary cities. I strongly oppose this irresponsible deployment of federal SWAT agents in Los Angeles County for civil immigration enforcement.


In 2019, I reduced ICE transfers by 53% and lowered serious crimes in Los Angeles County by 7%. This debunks the White House’s claim that SB-54 and similar laws throughout the nation will somehow lead to an increase in violent crime. We cannot allow the federal government to weaponize our immigration system for partisan politics. This poorly thought out plan can only be seen as a tactic to intimidate an already vulnerable population and drive them deeper into the shadows.


As the Sheriff of Los Angeles County, I am responsible for everyone’s public safety regardless of immigration status. We are not any safer if an entire segment of our population is afraid to report crimes to local law enforcement.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva

Sheriff Alex Villanueva behind a microphone
Sheriff Villanueva Addresses the Board of Supervisors 01/28/20 701 303 SIB Staff

Sheriff Villanueva Addresses the Board of Supervisors 01/28/20

SHERIFF VILLANUEVA ADDRESSES THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, JANUARY 28, 2020

On Tuesday, January 28, 2020, Sheriff Alex Villanueva spoke at the Board of Supervisor’s Meeting to inform the Board and attendees about the directive he has given to the Department to continue building trust with the community, a directive on data transparency. Sheriff Villanueva reminded those present that he campaigned on a promise of transparency, and the Department is taking steps to deliver his promise.

Sheriff Villanueva added everything not legally restricted will be made available on the Department’s website, LASD.org, including information regarding deputy-involved shootings, Department reports, videos of incidents, as well as other types of documentation. Information protected by law, which includes personnel records, ongoing criminal and administrative investigations, victims, and witnesses of particular crimes such as sexually related crimes, domestic violence crimes, will remain private and offline.     

Sheriff Villanueva pointed out that although this process will be labor and time-intensive, it has already started, and people can visit LASD.org and begin to see the data being released. He added he looks forward to working the Board of Supervisors to secure funding for the servers and other infrastructure needed to accomplish this step toward transparency.

Sheriff Villanueva further stated he firmly believes transparency will build trust within the communities the Sheriff’s Department serves.

Downloadable Material: Talking Points and Slides