PUBLIC CORRUPTION INVESTIGATIONShttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Sheriff_Statment_Header_2021-1024x249.jpg1024249SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Tomorrow, a local newspaper will release a story about the department’s long overdue creation of a Public Corruption Unit. The Sheriff’s Department has been conducting public corruption investigations for decades under every single sheriff, but it has never been formalized until recently. The department has been investigating multiple complaints of public malfeasance since I took office in December of 2018, which is well within the authority of the department consistent with California Government Code Section 25303 and 26600. As a matter of fact, the California Constitution bestows investigative authority to the Office of the Sheriff as an independently elected official, and who is not subordinate to any other elected official in the county. This is of particular significance when the community is demanding transparency and accountability from all elected and appointed officials. No one is above the rule of law.
In the article, the reporter will push the narrative that I created this team to attack my political opponents and their appointees. This is false. The sole responsibility of the Sheriff’s Department is to investigate allegations of criminal conduct as they are discovered, regardless of how inconvenient it may be to the subject of the investigation. The unit is supervised by the Undersheriff, and I have recused myself from all decision making to avoid any potential conflict of interest. The department routinely seeks out the opinion of the District Attorney, the State Attorney General’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to decide jurisdictional issues and appropriate prosecutorial venues on all cases.
LASD Remembers and honors the 20th anniversary of 9/11https://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Post_911.jpg900900SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
RELEASE OF RAND CORPORATION REPORT ON DEPUTY SUBGROUPS
September 10, 2021
Today the Board of Supervisors released a study performed by the RAND Corporation titled “Understanding Subgroups Within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department: Community and Department Perceptions with Recommendations for Change.” I received the 230-page study the same time everyone else did today, so I have not had an opportunity to read it. I look forward to learning about their study, methodologies used, limitations, and seeing how their recommendations can inform the massive reform efforts already underway. This is part of leading a learning organization devoted to serving the public safety needs of our community.
LA County Health Officer order to mask while indoorshttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Sheriff_Statment_Header_2021-1024x249.jpg1024249SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER ORDER MODIFICATION MASKING WHILE INDOORS
July 16, 2021
Forcing the vaccinated and those who already contracted COVID-19 to wear masks indoors is not backed by science and contradicts the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH) has authority to enforce the order, but the underfunded/defunded Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will not expend our limited resources and instead ask for voluntary compliance. We encourage the DPH to work collaboratively with the Board of Supervisors and law enforcement to establish mandates that are both achievable and supported by science.
Sheriff Addresses the Homeless Crisis in Los Angeles Countyhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/themes/blade/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg150150SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff Villanueva Addresses the Homeless Crisis and Provides Statistics in Los Angeles County
On Wednesday, June 23, 2021, Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Lieutenant Geoffrey Deedrick from the Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Services Team (HOST), along with business owners from the Venice Beach Boardwalk, held a press conference to address the homeless crisis in Los Angeles County and the direct effect on businesses throughout Los Angeles County and the Venice Beach Boardwalk.
Sheriff Villanueva showed various clips of news reports that portrayed the homeless crisis on the Venice Beach Boardwalk and explained that regulating public space and public safety are necessary to combat the homeless crisis.
Sheriff Villanueva stated that Venice Beach is within Los Angeles County and is the second most popular tourist destination in Southern California. The tourism industry brings approximately 50 million visitors to Los Angeles per year, contributing an estimated18 billion dollars to the local economy.
The people of Los Angeles County are being directly and indirectly affected by the homeless crisis. According to the Los Angeles County Homeless Count, ten years ago, the homeless count was approximately 40,000 and today that number doubled to approximately 80,000. Various measures, including Measure H, have passed to help the homeless. But some non-profit organizations intended to assist the homeless are more of a benefit to executive officers, directors, physicians, etc. Some nonprofit organizations (such as Share Your Share Inc. and Safe Place for Youth) have no financial data available. While billions of dollars are destined to help the homeless, very little money gets to the source of the problem. In the last ten years, six and a half billion dollars was destined to the homeless, and no progress was done. Instead, the number of homeless individuals doubled in the last ten years.
Bob Carlson, owner of a skateboard and snowboard brand founded in Venice, has lived in the popular city for 30 years and has seen firsthand what the homeless population has done to Venice Beach. A few years ago, he had the necessity to hire a full time security guard, and two weeks ago the security guard was viciously attacked on the parking lot of his business when he told a homeless man that he could not drink on the parking lot. He was so badly wounded that he almost bled to death. It took the Los Angeles Police Department almost an hour to respond. Doctors informed Carlson that two vital arteries were barely missed and his employee was lucky to be alive. Carlson said the people in Venice Beach are “on their own” and thanked Sheriff Villanueva for his efforts.
The Sheriff’s Homeless Outreach Services Team is a dedicated group of law enforcement professionals who are making a difference in the well-being of the homeless, one person at a time. The HOST team consists of a lieutenant, one sergeant, and four deputies. From its inception, the mission of HOST was to positively impact the homeless crisis in Los Angeles County, while enhancing public safety and preserving the rights and dignity of persons experiencing homelessness. Their approach is simple, yet effective. Their outreach efforts include contacting the homeless and assisting them in accepting services to include transportation and relocation, among others.
Sheriff Villanueva concluded the press conference by sharing that on Wednesday, June 23, 2021, he sent a letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors requesting them to declare a local state of emergency regarding the homeless crisis in Los Angeles County, stating, “Enough is enough. We need to kick it into high gear.”
Potential Release of Sexually Violent Predator Calvin Grassmier into the Crescenta Valley Communityhttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Sheriff_Statment_Header_2021-1024x249.jpg1024249SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
POTENTIAL RELEASE OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATOR CALVIN GRASSMIER INTO THE CRESCENTA VALLEY COMMUNITY
As the Sheriff of Los Angeles County, my primary concern is for the safety and security of the residents of our communities. Releasing violent sexual predators, such as Calvin Grassmier, into our communities makes us all less safe, as well as places an unnecessary burden on public safety resources. I urge the Superior Court to look at alternative areas where Calvin Grassmier can be placed, other than residential communities in Los Angeles.
On Wednesday, May 26, 2021, Sheriff Alex Villanueva discussed the issue of “deputy cliques” and the steps he has taken to address the problem. Some politicians, their political appointees and the media have manipulated the deputy cliques’ narrative and it is important to separate perception from reality, and fiction from fact.
On his very first day as the Sheriff of Los Angeles County, he removed the Captain of the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station, replaced the entire command staff and transferred 36 deputies to other stations. Despite the pandemic and the civil unrest from last year, the Kennedy Hall investigation was completed and 26 employees were disciplined including 4 that were terminated.
In February of last year, he became the first Sheriff in Los Angeles County to successfully implement a policy addressing the issue of “deputy cliques”. A cliques’ video was produced and distributed within the department, all personnel signed “attestation forms,” and mandatory briefings regarding cliques were implemented. Additionally, Sheriff Villanueva sponsored AB 958 legislation for Peace Officer Cliques with Assembly Member Mike Gipson. Last week, the “Duty to Cooperate” video was distributed within the department. This video includes numerous other policies which are in the approval stage. “All of these reforms will further strengthen transparency and accountability as we continue to change the organizational culture,” said Sheriff Villanueva.
In addition, the use of tattoos by members of the department was addressed. In 2014, Los Angeles County Counsel concluded that a department cannot ban something that is a constitutionally protected speech and tattoos are a form of speech protected by the First and Fourth Amendments.
Sheriff Villanueva also changed a practice which had been in effect for more than half a century; the department is now releasing the names of personnel involved in shootings within 30 days, unless a credible specific threat is present. Contrary to what the media or some politicians claim, many policies have been implemented in regards to deputy cliques so that the community can assess the work of the department, trust law enforcement and the continued strengthening of relationships.
NOTE: To view the video played during the press conference of nurses who got tattoos, please follow this link:
Sheriff Villanueva and Rocket Provide Tips on How to Stop Bullyinghttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Post_Sheriff_Rocket_AntiBullying.jpg800441SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Rocket Provide Children and Families Tips on How to Stop Bullying.
Sheriff Alex Villanueva and Rocket the Safety Spokesdog had a candid conversation on the topic of Bullying. Together they provided tips to children on how to stop bullying.
Watch Video of Rocket & Sheriff Alex Villanueva talks to kids about bullying – English
Bullying and Cyberbullying occurs in many forms, from verbal name-calling and teasing, to spreading rumors about someone, to physical intimidation or assault and finally cyberbullying. In this day and age, bullying is prevalent on the internet.
Sheriff Villanueva and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department take a stand against all types of bullying and would like to spread the word that bullying is wrong and we all need to work together to stop it from happening.
Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the solution! For more information, contact your local sheriff’s station or your local police.
For lots of resources on ways you can learn about Bullying and how to help stop it, click on the links below:
El Alguacil Alex Villanueva y Rocket Dan Consejos a Niños y Familias para Parar el Acoso o Abuso entre Niños
El Alguacil Alex Villanueva y Rocket tuvieron una amena conversación sobre el acoso o abuso entre niños. Ambos ofrecieron consejos para que los niños sepan cómo frenar el acoso.
Español
El abuso y acoso por las redes ocurre de diferentes formas, desde apodos feos y provocaciones, hasta difundir rumores acerca de alguien, intimidación o golpes y finalmente acoso por las redes. Hoy en día, el acoso por internet es muy común.
El Alguacil Alex Villanueva y el Departamento del Alguacil del Condado de Los Angeles están en contra de cualquier forma de acoso o abuso y quieren correr la voz y hacerles saber que el abuso no está bien y todos debemos trabajar juntos para que no suceda.
No seas parte del problema, ¡sé parte de la solución! Para más información comunícate con tu estación del alguacil o policía local.
Los siguientes enlaces contienen información para aprender más sobre el abuso o acoso y recursos para ayudar a frenarlo.
Transparency, accountability, and service to others are the foundations of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. As peace officers, we have to preserve personal credibility, integrity and not bring discredit to the profession while serving our communities both on and off duty. If any Department member has information alleging misconduct or wrongdoing by other Department members, it is their duty to report the information to a supervisor immediately. A failure to do so is a violation of policy. It goes against our core values and mission. If someone has knowledge of another department member’s involvement in such behavior and does not immediately report it, they are also liable and treated as such. Any department member who is subjected to or witnesses harassment or a violation of department policy or law may report the matter to:
· The sheriff33.lasd.org website
· Report anonymously to 1-800-698-TALK
· Any department supervisor or manager
· Your respective union or bargaining unit
· The Intake Specialist Unit
· California Department of Fair Employment and Housing
Readiness for the possibility of civil unresthttps://sheriff33.lasd.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Sheriff_Statment_Header_2021-1024x249.jpg1024249SIB StaffSIB Staffhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/179d7335802e3daded4330485a5562ec1de93760eb3e7e694ec84645300a95c0?s=96&d=blank&r=g
In readiness for potential civil disturbances related to the trial of Derek Chauvin for the death of George Floyd, coupled with the recent national attention regarding several high profile shootings, and to meet the operational needs of Los Angeles County, we are in constant communication with our state and local law enforcement partners as to their state of readiness, which includes contingency planning with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and California National Guard. At this time, no direct request has been made of the California National Guard, because that can only be done when there is a specific mission to request and assign. But through our preparation, any possible lag time to mobilize should be significantly reduced.
I strongly support the First Amendment and the people’s right to protest, but if these actions become violent or shift into lawlessness, then swift and decisive action will be taken to protect life, protect property, and maintain civil order. This will be accomplished in a fair, firm, and impartial manner, in accordance with the law and 21st century policing concepts.
I believe in the important role the press plays in truth and transparency, as such my personnel are directed to support them in their duties, but that support does not extend into allowing members of the media to become part of the problem once an assembly has been declared unlawful. I strongly encourage members of the press to seek out supervisory personnel and identify yourselves, so they are aware of your status and can more easily support you in your mission.
We the people can exercise our First Amendment rights peacefully, without the need for violence and destruction.
