Posts Tagged :

2022

Sheriff alex villanueva graphic. portrait of sheriff in tan shirt black tie. Sheriff's uniform, on greeen background with the hall of justice building behind him faded in the back ground.
REMOVING THE SHERIFF BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY 1024 249 SIB Staff

REMOVING THE SHERIFF BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY

OPTIONS FOR REMOVING THE SHERIFF… BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY, INCLUDING ABUSE OF THE SUBPOENA PROCESS AND POLITICAL THEATER

April 4, 2022

On October 27, 2020, a motion by Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who has since been indicted on 20 counts of public corruption, ordered County Counsel, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Civilian Oversight Commission (COC), and “justice advocates” to pursue:

  1. Options for removing or impeaching the Los Angeles County Sheriff, including any necessary changes to the County Charter or County Code.
  2. Legislative changes required to authorize an appointed Sheriff, including the path and timeline required to amend the California Constitution and Los Angeles County Charter as needed.
  3. Legislative changes required to potentially remove certain existing responsibilities of the Sheriff, such as municipal law enforcement services and court services, as well as the authority of the County Board of Supervisors to appoint a County Sheriff.
  4. Any other mitigation measures that could be taken to curtail the Sheriff’s resistance to transparency, accountability, and the faithful performance of duties for the benefit of the residents of the County.

Since then, every move these entities have made involving the Sheriff’s Department has been part of a coordinated effort to achieve this goal.  Today, the Court ruled on one of these coordinated efforts which has been weaponized regarding subpoena appearances.  There are still many unanswered questions, and we will appeal this decision to the Court of Appeal.

It is important to realize the OIG and the COC receive regular updates as to their information requests and have received thousands upon thousands of documents to inform them regarding oversight. These subpoenas are political theater and if successful, I will be the first elected official subjected to this heavy-handed abuse of power, in the State of California.  I seek a remedy in the appellate court to establish a fair process going forward where the rules and standards are clear for all sheriffs and Boards of Supervisors throughout the state in dealing with the new transparency laws should they find themselves in similar disagreement.

I remain committed to transparency and accountability, but under a process which is constitutionally sound, and not a political weapon to attack others, so I will appeal this to the court of appeal and await the outcome.  In the meantime, I will be happy to engage in another public discussion on the issues, if the true motive is informing the public.

SHERIFF ALEX VILLANUEVA

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department’s Homeless Outreach services Team Awards 1024 576 SIB Staff

Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department’s Homeless Outreach services Team Awards

LASD Homeless outreach services Team and collaborators Receive Awards

On Wednesday, March 30, 2022, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) hosted a luncheon to recognize the Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST), and organizations that have partnered with them to make a difference in the homeless crisis in Los Angeles.

HOST received the Department’s Exemplary Service Award for their extraordinary efforts to assist individuals during the 2021 homeless crisis. Law enforcement personnel are often the first contact with those experiencing homelessness. HOST was created to exemplify the Sheriff’s Department’s efforts to combat homelessness and preserve public safety. The LASD HOST’s mission is to positively impact the homeless crisis in the county, while increasing public safety and preserving the rights and dignity of persons experiencing homelessness. Lieutenant Deedrick, your extraordinary leadership, commitment, and hard work are truly worthy of recognition! 

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) was presented with the LASD Humanitarian Award for their partnership as a co-response team with HOST. Since 2017, LAHSA has built and maintained strong working relationships with the homeless community.  They connected this vulnerable population with services, while effectively improving the health and safety of our streets. Thank you to every member of LAHSA for your extraordinary efforts and dedication to make a difference in the homeless community of Los Angeles. 

Ron Hooks, West Coast Care’s Executive Director, received the LASD Humanitarian Award for his outstanding efforts and dedication as part of the LASD HOST. West Coast’s mission is the reunification of homeless individuals with their families and close friends. They contact estranged family members or friends and act as mediators between them and the person living outside. They also provide bus tickets, car repairs, and other travel resources needed to get the person safely back home. Ron, you embody the true spirit of humanity and you’re an example to us all. 

Jason Schneidman, founder of the Men’s Groomer Foundation, was also presented with the LASD Humanitarian Award for his devotion to the LASD HOST mission of addressing the homeless crisis with compassion and dignity. Jason strongly believes a haircut can change a person’s appearance, instill confidence, and allow them to reach for opportunities when they thought life had passed them by. Jason has found that those struggling with drugs and alcohol addiction are the ones he can help most. He can connect with them because he has been there himself. 

Venice, CA, has always been a special place to Jason. June of 2021, he partnered with the HOST to address the homeless encampment at the Venice Beach Boardwalk. On multiple occasions, Jason brought volunteer barbers and held large-scale events to serve those who were homeless on the Venice Boardwalk and make a difference, “one haircut at a time.” Jason also sponsors individuals so they can enter rehabilitation programs to overcome their addiction.    

Jason’s compassion, selflessness, and humbleness are simply admirable. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is honored to count on you in our mission to positively impact the homeless crisis in Los Angeles. 

Three deputies from the LASD HOST were presented with the LASD Lifesaving Award. On September 23, 2021, while conducting outreach services at a homeless encampment, deputies from the LASD HOST observed an unconscious male.  They quickly rendered assistance to him, assessed the severity of his medical situation and determined he was suffering from a narcotic overdose. They immediately administered NARCAN and monitored him until paramedics arrived. Their quick actions were essential in saving his life, and LASD recognizes the deputies’ heroism. 

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homeless Outreach Services Team will continue to provide help and house homeless individuals. If you would like to join this effort, please contact Lieutenant Deedrick by emailing him at [email protected].

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homeless Outreach Services Team Awards
Sheriff Alex Villanueva is in a tan and green uniform standing infront of a wooden podium with the Sheriff's badge attached to the front. he is pointing to a screen on his right. He has two of his assistant Sheriff's on his left and one assistant Serhiff on his right.
Sheriff Villanueva discusses recent allegations of an alleged cover-up involving Department personnel 1024 576 SIB Staff

Sheriff Villanueva discusses recent allegations of an alleged cover-up involving Department personnel

Sheriff Villanueva discussES the recent allegations of an alleged cover-up involving Department personnel

On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, Sheriff Alex Villanueva held a press conference to discuss a series of events that occurred in recent days.  

Sheriff Villanueva stated that on March 21, 2022, the Inspector General, Max Huntsman, announced that he had identified 41 deputies  who allegedly belong to a “law enforcement gang” within the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD). The information had been known for approximately a year, yet it was decided that a good time to report it was before election time.

Following the announcement of the Inspector General, The Los Angeles Times published an article with the same year-old information. Subsequently, on March 24, the Civilian Oversight Commission, who was appointed by the Board of Supervisors, decided to launch a full-scale investigation into deputy gangs. Again, the Los Angeles Times reported that the civilian commission launched an independent investigation into “deputy gangs.” 

Yet, more articles from Gustavo Arellano from the Los Angeles Times were published on March 24 and 25 with incendiary headlines such as: “Villanueva’s beef with firefighters, the L.A. Times, Gascón, ‘Latinx’, and more.”  “L.A. County’s Sheriff has a strange obsession with how much media coverage Black people get.” “L.A. County’s Sheriff leans on his Latino identity. Does he exemplify our worst traits?” “Gustavo talks with Sheriff Villanueva: desmadre happens.”

On March 25, 2022, the L.A. Times published yet another article titled: “Fearing bad publicity, LASD covered up case of deputy who knelt on an inmate’s head.” It appears that the author of the article had the information for quite some time, and they were waiting for the right time to release it. Sheriff Villanueva shared that the author of the article sent a series of questions, but the article was published less than an hour after his office received the questions and gave the Department no time to answer them. The article included false information. The only accurate component of the article was an investigation on the use of force.   

Lastly, on March 28, 2022, Spectrum News, who has an exclusive licensing cable with L.A. County by the Board of Supervisors, reported that the Oversight Commission launched a probe into deputy gangs within LASD.  

Sheriff Villanueva discussed an incident that happened on March 10, 2021, at the San Fernando Courthouse in which a deputy knelt on an inmate’s head for approximately three minutes. A use of force investigation was initiated approximately during the time when it should have been investigated. However, a vetting of the case for a possible criminal investigation did not happen when it was supposed to have happened. Along the way, many people including senior executives saw the video and failed to act accordingly. The investigator reached a point where nothing else could be done except refer it for a criminal investigation, which required the approval of a division Chief. On November 18, 2021, Sheriff Villanueva was made aware of the incident and immediately ordered a criminal investigation into the deputy, who was relieved of duty. The department is waiting on the results of both the administrative and criminal investigations.

The Los Angeles Times claimed that Sheriff Villanueva saw the video shortly after it happened and that’s when an internal investigation was conducted by the Sheriff’s Chief of Staff. “My Chief of Staff reviewed information from the administrative investigation going all the way back to the start and came up with information that was very troubling to me.  We took administrative action, and based on that, we’ve had a change in our senior command of the department,” said Sheriff Villanueva.      

When he was asked by a reporter why the original incident wasn’t made public at the time, Sheriff Villanueva said it didn’t merit media coverage because no one involved was seriously injured.

Sheriff Villanueva concluded the press conference by stating that “we hold everyone accountable to the rule of law and to the policies of the Sheriff’s Department and I’m not going to sway regardless of who it is.”

Press Conference Video

Press Conference Information

Power Point Presentation

Time Line Of Incident Memo – PDF

Sheriff alex villanueva graphic. portrait of sheriff in tan shirt black tie. Sheriff's uniform, on greeen background with the hall of justice building behind him faded in the back ground.
COC announces another investigation in to Deputy Gangs 1024 249 SIB Staff

COC announces another investigation in to Deputy Gangs

Today, the Civilian Oversight Commission (COC) announced it was launching a “Full-Scale Investigation into Deputy Gangs.” The problem with their announcement is the COC and Office of the Inspector General (OIG) already launched that investigation, almost three-years ago. In all that time, not one deputy “gang member” has been identified.Then in October 2020, the Board of Supervisors (Board) voted (3-2) to explore “Options for Removing the Sheriff… or strip him of authority.”

The same Board who appointed both the OIG and COC (although former Board member Mark Ridley-Thomas has since been replaced and is now federally indicted for 20-counts of Public Corruption).Almost 6,000 pages were provided to the OIG on this subject almost a year ago, and LASD.org has an entire webpage dedicated to this topic. There is nothing new. Not ONE of my personnel has been named by the Board, OIG, or COC as violating 13670 PC, yet almost all continue to lie to the public and create a “straw man” argument, based on bias not facts or the law. There are no facts to present, just a “fishing expedition” and political theater.

The law clearly states, “”Law enforcement gang” means a group of peace officers within a law enforcement agency who may identify themselves by a name and may be associated with an identifying symbol, including, but not limited to, matching tattoos, and who engage in a pattern of on-duty behavior that intentionally violates the law or fundamental principles of professional policing” must exist. As I have previously stated, “I openly challenge every elected leader, or their appointees, to provide facts to me and name individuals who they can prove are “gang members,” as defined by California Penal Code section 13670” (a law I sponsored and was based on existing LASD policy). Not one elected official, or their political appointees, have provided me even one name.

I await whatever new FACTUAL information they can provide. I can see this for what it is, the weaponization of government in order to influence the outcome of an election, nothing more.

Sheriff Alex Villanueva

Help us Solve The Murder of Lentrail Hicks 1024 768 SIB Staff

Help us Solve The Murder of Lentrail Hicks

Detectives and Family Members Seek Help from the Public to Solve The Murder of LeNtrail Hicks; Detectives Announce $20K Reward

On Thursday, March 24, 2022, Homicide Bureau Detectives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department held a press conference to announce a $20,000 reward in exchange for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of Lentrail Hicks. The reward was sponsored by Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Second District.

Shortly before noon on November 7, 2020, deputies from the Century Sheriff Station responded to a call at a residence in the area of 66th Street and Compton Avenue, in the Florence-Firestone area of Los Angeles County. Upon arriving at the location, they located Victim Lentrail Hicks suffering from a single stab wound to his abdomen. At that time, Hicks was unable to give deputies any information that would assist them to identify or locate the suspect(s). He was also unable to provide the location of the incident.

On Monday, November 9, 2020, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Investigators were notified that Victim Lentrail Hicks had died from the injuries he sustained on November 7, 2020. 

Upon obtaining and viewing surveillance footage, Investigators observed an incident involving three male Hispanics walking southbound on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave. The male Hispanics included a young boy, approximately 10 to 12 years of age, a male approximately 18 years old wearing all black clothing; and a male approximately 35 years old wearing a black t-shirt with a large white logo on the front, khaki-colored pants and had a ball cap in his hands.  The victim, wearing a white t-shirt, dark colored pants, and a ball cap, walked northbound on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave. The Hispanics and the victim crossed paths on the northwest corner of 68th St. and Compton Ave. It appeared there were words exchanged, but no physical altercation. The victim continued walking northbound on Compton Ave, possibly entering a local business on the block. The group of Hispanic males continued walking southbound on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave. and out of view.  The entire contact took approximately 30 seconds. 

Approximately two minutes later, Investigators observed the victim enter the camera view on the west sidewalk of Compton Ave, near the businesses in the 6700 block of Compton Ave. The victim looks southbound but starts walking northbound.  All of a sudden, a dark colored Prius is seen driving at a high-rate speed northbound Compton Ave in the southbound lanes. The Prius stops in the number 2 southbound lane, just north of 68th Street, parallel to the victim. A male Hispanic, wearing the same black t-shirt with a large white logo on the front and khaki-colored pants from the earlier confrontation with the victim, exited the front passenger door of the Prius.  He walked straight to the victim and began a physical altercation with him on the sidewalk.  It appeared the driver also exited the Prius and confronted the victim.  The altercation spilled out into the lanes of traffic. The two male Hispanics appear to be assaulting the victim, and at one point, the victim attempts to protect himself by kicking at them. During the altercation, the Hispanic male in khaki pants can be seen making a stabbing motion toward the victim. The victim stops and looks down at his shirt.  The second Hispanic male takes a large swing at the victim, who avoids contact by spinning around.  Suddenly, the three males stop fighting. The two male Hispanics get back into the Prius, while the victim is seen walking northbound. The Prius makes a u-turn on Compton Ave, then drives west on 68th Street at a high-rate speed and out of view.

According to the Victim’s mother, Paula Stringer, when Lentrail got home he yelled to her to call 911 because he had just been stabbed. Ms. Stringer called 911 and paramedics performed first aid and lifesaving measures and transported him to St. Francis Medical Center for further treatment. Despite advanced life-saving measures, Victim Hicks ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

“I’m not angry, I’m more hurt than anything. My anger has passed. My son was a lovely father, a devoted brother, a loving son, and he did not deserve this. Whatever was going on out there, please come forward and let us know that Lentrail’s death won’t go in vain,” said Lentrail’s mom.     

If you have information about Lentrail’s murder, please contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or if you prefer to provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477), use your smartphone by downloading the “P3 Tips” Mobile App on Google Play or the Apple App Store, or use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org/.

Press Conference Video

Press Conference Material

Videos and Stills

Emergency Vehicle Operations Center 1024 819 SIB Staff

Emergency Vehicle Operations Center

EVOC Grand Opening Ceremony

On Monday, March 21, 2022, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department held the Grand Opening Ceremony of the Pitchess Detention Center (PDC) Emergency Vehicle Operations Center (EVOC), located at 29310 The Old Road, Castaic, California.  Sheriff Alex Villanueva was responsible for cutting the ribbon to mark the official opening of the training facility.

On Tuesday, February 4, 2020, the County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved funding for the PDC-EVOC project.  The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works was responsible for construction of the project and utilized the design-build-contracting method to save time and money.  The project was delivered three months ahead of schedule and on budget.

The project consists of a vehicle driving/training track, skid pan, new modular office/locker rooms, collision avoidance and pursuit track, track appurtenances, paved parking area, bioswales and landscaping.  The project also involved relocation of Southern California Edison power lines and various facility power poles. The overall site area for the PDC-EVOC training area encompasses approximately 44.5 acres.

In addition to the new training facility, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) will continue operating the EVOC at the Pomona Fairgrounds.  LASD has used the Pomona Fairgrounds property for more than 35 years to provide training in emergency vehicle operations to deputy sheriff trainees and police officers enrolled in LASD’s Academy, in addition to ongoing POST mandated emergency vehicle operations training for sworn personnel.

The current arrangement between LASD and the Pomona Fairplex Association requires the EVOC office to cease operations for approximately two to three months per year for major events, such as the LA County Fair, swap meets, drag races, etc.  With the new facility at PDC, these disruptions to the EVOC training schedule will no longer be a challenge.

Sheriff Villanueva thanked the Board of Supervisors for making the project a reality and he also thanked everyone involved in the project who made today’s event possible. 

Video

Sheriff alex villanueva graphic. portrait of sheriff in tan shirt black tie. Sheriff's uniform, on greeen background with the hall of justice building behind him faded in the back ground.
Board of supervisors vote to terminate approximately 4000 LASD personnel 1024 249 SIB Staff

Board of supervisors vote to terminate approximately 4000 LASD personnel

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTE TO TERMINATE APPROXIMATELY 4,000 LASD PERSONNEL DURING A TIME WHEN MURDERS HAVE INCREASED OVER 94% AND THERE IS A HIRING FREEZE IN THE DEPARTMENT

February 8, 2022

Today the Board of Supervisors followed through on their threat and voted 4-0 (1 abstention) to form a suicide pact and start the process to fire 4,000 deputies for not being vaccinated.  Showing deliberate indifference to the obvious impact on public safety, the Board hid behind an alleged threat to public safety they couldn’t back up with data.  Tellingly, the Board’s own County Counsel (Rodrigo Castro-Silva) couldn’t offer even a basic legal opinion on the legality of the Board’s motion, or the obvious legal challenges they will face.

The Board, who ignored the comments made by thousands of their constituents today during their meeting, is now seeking to fire the very same personnel who were forced to work in person, exposing themselves to the COVID-19 virus when there was no vaccine, while the Supervisors and most of the workforce were telecommuting from the comfort and safety of their own homes.  Supervisor Kuehl falsely asserted in her motion that LASD employees represented 74% of infected County employees, ignoring the simple fact most infections were during pre-vaccine availability.

This moral failure of leadership represents a curious backtracking of their position on the authority of the Human Resources Director to override the authority of the sheriff.  At the beginning of my tenure they claimed I did not have the authority to hire and fire my workforce.  Now they are claiming the opposite and need to remove that delegated authority from me!

It is important to remember Department personnel who chose not to vaccinate are required to submit to weekly COVID testing, and have committed no administrative offense.

This is nothing more than another politically motivated stunt by the Board, which has no bearing on public health, but will definitely harm public safety.

Alex Villanueva

Sheriff

SEB Training 1024 768 SIB Staff

SEB Training

Tactical Casualty Care Course (TCCC) training

The LASD Special Enforcement Bureau – Emergency Services Detail has been hosting basic Tactical Casualty Care Course (TCCC) training for LASD deputies and other law enforcement agencies. The course teaches lifesaving medical techniques that can help save a person’s life during a high-stress tactical incident.

During a tactical incident, access to the scene by emergency medical services (EMS) personnel may be limited. Our deputies often provide medical attention to trauma patients until EMS personnel can safely enter the scene.

Course topics include:

  • Introduction to Tactical Medicine/Tactical Medical Planning
  • Tactical Casualty Care/Tactical Mass Casualty Incident Management
  • Tactical Medical Equipment
  • Medical Aspects of Wound Ballistics/Management of Blast Injuries
  • Hemorrhage Control
  • Airway and Respiratory Management

For more information on TCCC training contact Sheriff’s Information Bureau.

TCCC Class photos

image of a person holding up thier hand calling for help .There are lights from an on comming car driving towards the viewer. Text accross the top reads National Human Trafficking prevention Month.
Human Trafficking Prevention Month 900 900 SIB Staff

Human Trafficking Prevention Month

The month of January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Sadly, millions of people worldwide are forced to endure this form of modern-day slavery. Traffickers prey on the most vulnerable – those looking for opportunity in the US, those without families, and unsuspecting young people online. Anyone can become a victim of human trafficking.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department- LA Regional Human Trafficking Task Force, which falls under the umbrella of our Special Victims Bureau, was created to combat the various crimes encompassed by this horrendous crime.

To report human trafficking, call your local law enforcement agency, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security tip line at (866) 347-2423, or contact L.A. Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking and is looking for support or services, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888. Visit their website at: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/