SUPES TO HAVE CLOSED SESSION TO REVIEW CANDIDATES FOR NEW INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE LASD
On Monday, at 9 am, the LA County Board of Supervisors will meet in closed session to interview candidates for the position of Inspector General—IG—for the Los Angeles Sheriff’s department.
As you may remember, among the main recommendations made by the Citizen’s Commission on Jail Violence in its final report delivered last September, was the appointment of an independent Inspector General (IG) and the creation of an Office of the Inspector General (OIG) with “broad authority as well as adequate staffing and funding to review Custody issues and concerns.”
In making its recommendation, the Commission laid out what it saw as the problems with the existing oversight systems, and the new structure the commissioners felt should be put in place in order to be effective.
[You can read the CCJV’s whole section re: existing oversight and the recommendation of the appointment of an OIG starting on p. 177.]
In past months, a private consulting company has been conducting the search for the IG candidates.
The lack of community input in the search has disappointed many—including Jails Commission member Reverend Cecil Murray, as he expresses an a letter to the LA Times.
However, as one Supes’ insider pointed out, in that a lot of the best qualified candidates are still working elsewhere, a public selection process is impractical.
We are unlikely to find out much if anything after Monday’s meeting, but the fact that the Supes now have a pile of candidates to review, is a welcome step forward.
AS FOR THAT OTHER CLOSED SESSION, CALLED AFTER THE TANAKA INTERVIEW….
After multiple conversations this week about Tuesday’s closed session –which was hastily called after the interview with Paul Tanaka appeared in the LA Times—we’ve learned that, basically, the meeting served to give the board members a chance to talk about what actions, legal or otherwise, they might need to take if something drastic happened at the LASD (like, say, bigtime indictments, or some unusually horrific revelation).
And, in response to a rumor going around among some of WLA’s commenters, not to worry, there is no indication that the board is going to start appointing committees to investigate the department, or some such crazy and redundant action.
NEW STUDY FINDS THAT CALIFORNIA HAS THE MOST WORKING POOR IN THE U.S. AND DOES A PARTICULARLY LOUSY JOB OF PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES NEEDED TO CLIMB OUT OF POVERTY
A new report released Wednesday finds that California has the most working poor in the nation, and that the state does an ineffective job of providing educational opportunities to boost the low-income workers to economic security—even though California has the 9th largest economy in the world, and is in great need of a well-educated work force.
“Economic security should not be out of reach for people who are working hard when higher education can be a viable pathway from poverty to prosperity,” says the report, commissioned by The Campaign for College Opportunity, in partnership with the Women’s Foundation of California and Working Poor Families project. “But there must be a will for reform and investment in the state’s higher education system. If left unaddressed, the state’s future outlook is threatened.”
Wisely, the report doesn’t just detail the bad news, but outlines a series of recommendations for reform that it says are “within reach.”
THE NEW YORKER’S AMY DAVIDSON WITH SOME THOUGHTS ON MICHELLE KNIGHT, AMANDA BARRY AND GINA DE JESUS
These two comparatively short narratives (here and here) on the three abducted and finally rescued women aren’t likely to tell you something that you don’t know. But Davidson’s strong, good prose counterweights the horror of this story with the humanity of the women. Here’s a clip:
How many times since August, 2002, did Michelle Knight think that she was going to die? When it became clear that Ariel Castro, who had offered her a ride, was not taking her home, but to a basement in his own house? The first time, or the hundredth time, she was tied up with the chains and rope the police found there, or when, as she said, according to press accounts of the initial police report, Castro raped and beat her? Another prisoner arrived, and then another; did that make her own life seem nearer or farther as it became clear, in glimpses of vigils on television, that the city was looking for them but not for her? Or was it the first time, or the second, third, fourth, or fifth time, that she realized that she was pregnant, and then, as she also reportedly told police, watched what happened to her body as Castro systematically starved her and hit her in the stomach until she miscarried? In 2006, according to the report, Castro told her that he would kill her if the baby about to be born to Amanda Berry, whom he had also held for years and raped, died. As Knight, along with the third prisoner, Gina DeJesus, helped with the delivery, in a inflatable pool set up in the house, it looked as though that might happen: the newborn girl stopped breathing. Knight breathed into her mouth, and they both lived.
TWO SHERIFF’S DEPUTIES RESCUE PICO-RIVERA MAN FROM BURNING APARTMENT
KTLA has this story of everyday heroism in which two LA County Sheriff’s deputies rescue a man, incapacitated by smoke inhalation, from his still smoldering Pico Rivera apartment.
Click here for the video.
HEARTBREAKER AS LA AIRPORT POLICE OFFICER DIES AFTER RUNNING MEMORIAL 5K FOR FALLEN COLLEAGUE
Brian Sumers of the Daily Breeze has the story. Here’s a clip:
A Los Angeles International Airport police officer, who felt ill on Wednesday after running in a 5K race to honor an officer killed while on duty, died late Thursday afternoon, Chief Patrick Gannon said.
Anthony Edwards had been taken to Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center on Wednesday, where doctors discovered a heart problem, Gannon said. He had just finished the run, which raised money for the Tommy E. Scott Scholarship Fund. Scott was killed in 2005 when a man jumped into his patrol car and took off with the officer clinging to the door. Scott was decapitated when he struck a fire hydrant.
“We were honoring one guy – Tommy Scott, who had given his life for this city – and then the irony of it was that an officer who was honoring Tommy passed away himself,” Gannon said. “It’s hard for everyone to get their arms around this. ”
Gannon said Edwards was in his mid-40s. Another police source said Edwards had been with the airport police for 12 years.
“However, as one Supes’ insider pointed out, in that a lot of the best qualified candidates are still working elsewhere, a public selection process is impractical.”
Oh Plaaasseee!! What BS
C: They should release who the top five candidates so they can be vetted! I.E. When I heard that Gennaco was with OIR everyone in the office knew the fix was in. Baca chose Sexton without any vetting because Sexton is FRIENDS with Baca, a def conflict of interest and voted for Baca as “sheriff of the year.” If more scrutiny of McDonald would have shown her bias and incompetence while at CDC. And her comment that it’s just a few bad deputies is beyond the pale!
We need people who have proven themselves as courageous and know who the gangsters are and won’t be fooled. If we had public input I would suggest for this panel; Pat Gomez, Ray Leyva, Bob Olmsted, Ron Williams, LT. Al Gonzales from the jail hearings, LT. Allen from the Gomez case, Nancy Reed (retired), JD Harris (Psychologist, don’t know where he is.) All these folks can do the job!
Just look at those who failed to do their job. Gennaco and the entire staff of so-called top notch LAWYERS, Kolts, ACLU Ms. Rice(still can’t believe she fell for Baca okie doke),County counsel,the DA past and present. Remember Lacy went out of her way to get Baca’s endorsement! Cooley who was on bed with Baca and the main person to detect corruption, Wasn’t the State AG, at the time, Uncle Jerry Brown? The City Attorney (I lie all the time Trutanich) Baca’s good friends and all the rest of crooked cops, politicians and assorted shady characters!
This doesn’t pass the sniff test!
J London you are on a roll today and you are right on regarding the vetting process. As we have said before, Baca brings on non-vetted people whom he can control. Sexton is no where near the calibre of the command staff we need and we already have a wealth of candidates here! Nothing personal against him, but he has no choice but to be nothing but a puppet. He is forced to deal with his friend Baca on a daily basis and I don’t think it is in HIS best interest to grow a backbone.
McDonald another puppet…..What can she possibly bring to the table with her lack of true law enforcement experience to dealing with a department this size? How can she tell the good from the bad or figure out just who to listen to.
I do not know all of the folks you mentioned for the panel, but something is better than nothing and right now we have nothing, so I am in. I think there are great sworn personnel on this department (at EVERY rank). Isn’t it time for all to stand up and voice opinions to the Sheriff? Ah, but he has taken our voices out of the decision making of this department . I don’t blame anyone for using this site to voice opinions. If Baca knew who we were, he would probably lop off our heads, too. There are definitely a lot of folks reading this site and sharing their views, experiences and opinions; some working for the department or luckily retired, other agencies, BOS, FBI, and people who just care. It would be nice if those who DO care could make a difference.
Despite the complete failure of the “leaders” of this department it is great to read or hear about those who save others, or risk their life for others.
The Deputies in Pico and the deputy from CDRF who saved the drowning adult. I won’t mention the sex of these deputies because they all wear the same uniform and take the same risk everyday, so they are deputies.
I just wanted to redirect some of the anger from this site and direct it towards those fine people who go to work everyday and give 100%, not for power, or position, but for love of the job.
Now if we could get some true leaders forward we could move mountains. Sadly there are too many “armies” in place to stop that.
Left at the Ball- Wonderful stories. I read them both. Those deputies used their hearts and their heads. Now if we could only see our department executives doing the right thing in such a simple fashion.
The problem is nothing is going to change without some serious hard, ugly work. Those who would sacrifice their values and integrity for the sake of their promotions, power and paychecks have sold their souls to Baca and Tanaka for the chance to be “one of the boys.” Now, even if Baca and Tanaka both were to ride into the sunset (an unlikely scenario) we have to deal with their underlings who are woven into the administrative fabric of the LASD.
They are in full defensive mode, as they are now feeling like cornered animals. One can only hope that as they lash out, it’s at each other.
I made a prediction some time ago, that appears to be coming true. I predicted that many good hardworking honest LASD employees would be fired for honest mistakes in an effort by Baca to show that he is “cleaning house.” And of course, who’s the easiest person to place blame on? Deputy Sheriff Generalists, a couple Sergeants, maybe one or two Lieutenants. Of course, not anyone who actually helped Baca and Tanaka weave their tentacles into the department’s coffers, culture and personnel. No, the dog and pony show will ruin a lot of good careers.
Who gets fired and who gets days off is completely bass ackwards. That’s because the decision isn’t being made based on the severity of the offense, or the potential for the rehabilitation of the offender into a good employee. No no, the calculus for firings now is “will it cost the department, or me (Baca) anything to lose this person, and will it send a feel good message to the press about me (Baca)?”
Wild: Good post. I agree that there will be a lot of huffing and puffing by Baca trying to show he’s in charge. OK, Mr. Baca how about re-opening the investigation of Tanaka and his actions in the jail as well as his statements at the jail commission hearings? How about opening investigations of Waldie and his infamous “exploits” while on duty? Of course we can’t ever forget Stonich for lying and fixing IAB cases to protect you, Mr. Baca! Tell us Mr. Baca why did Stonich retire so suddenly when he (Stonich) had six months of future appointments on his calender? I’ll save the answer for later! Waldie stated at the retirement of Stonich (Balboa Yacht Club,very nice)that he (Waldie) and Stonich were supposed to retire together; what happened?
I only have my sixth sense, as a deputy, that NEITHER Baca or Tanaka will be the next sheriff!
It took decades to get out from under the Bouman Decree. Can you imagine what life will be like when the BOS selects political hacks to oversee LASD? Thank you Baca, Tanaka, Waldie and Stonich for all your efforts. I must commend all of you as if it was not for you four none of this could have been possible!!!!!!!!!
J. London – again very true. These four used the department to make themselves and their cronies rich . Neither of them ever cared for the citizens of Los Angeles County.