Seeking to address an issue that has long dogged the agency, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced a department policy Wednesday formally banning so-called deputy gangs or cliques.
“Our employees are dedicated professionals who maintain the highest standards of integrity and service,” Luna said in a statement. “While I recognize the issue of law enforcement gangs has only involved a small fraction of the department, I also acknowledge that this long-standing issue must be addressed appropriately to maintain the community’s trust in us. The tireless efforts of our team to move the culture forward, strengthen our reputation, and eliminate any lingering shadows of mistrust are crucial to our public safety mission.”
Allegations of often-violent collections of deputy organizations within the department have led to various lawsuits over the years, some by department members claiming to have been discriminated against or even physically assaulted for failing to join or submit to internal gangs’ influence.