When conducting cell block checks at the Los Angeles Police Department-run Metropolitan Detention Center (MCD), LAPD officers acted outside of department policy and state regulations 82.3% of the time, according to an investigation by LAPD Inspector General Alex Bustamante.
MCD, the LAPD’s busiest jail, was assigned approximately 121 detention officers and 51 police officers and processed more than 28,000 inmates. In conducting the review, the IG’s office went through 264 hours of footage from jail cameras, analyzing 198 cell block checks.
During 26 of the non-compliant checks, officers did not inspect the entire floor after entering a cell block. During the other 137 problematic checks, officers did not even go into the cell blocks, and frequently miscounted inmates.
LA Police Commissioner Robert Saltzman said the failure rate is indicative of “systemic failure,” the LA Times reports. Commission President Matt Johnson pointed out that after the IG illuminated these issues, the LAPD “immediately worked with the inspector general to fix them.”
Two weeks ago, the Police Commission reviewed video of a death—caused by suffocation and epilepsy—at the department’s Pacific Jail. The revelation that jail logs listed inaccurate inmate welfare check times when cross-referenced with video of the man’s death, brought on an internal investigation.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story mistakenly estimated MCD’s jail population at more than 28,000. We meant to say that MCD processed more than 28,000 inmates in 2015.
Wow…”population of more than 28,000 inmates”, that’s more than what LASD deals with. I’m sure the ACLU, attorneys, family members, current/former inmates, reporters and other concerned citizens are ecstatic over this revelation. Boys put on your bibs and start making plans, ther’s “chum in the water” and “carrion” to feast on”. The sharks and buzzards are gonna start circling.
“At MCD, the LAPD’s busiest jail, 121 detention officers and 51 police officers oversee a population of more than 28,000 inmates… I don’t think so! Not 28,000!!! Maybe more like 2800.
Thank you very much for flagging the error, Nancy Drew. The figure has now been corrected.
They said “processed,” which is not the same as population.
Okay..a mistake was made. Totally understandable…and totally reasonable since we are all part of the human race. Its just to bad this same degree of understanding isn’t extended to the LEO community which is expected to perform at 100% with a 0% error rate. They are merely imperfect human beings like lawyers, judges, doctors and reporters but with one caveat. They (LEO’s) are tasked to do a dangerous, stressful and highly unpredictable job were those they come in contact with on a routine basis may likely try to kill them.