LA County Sheriff Officially Bans Gangs – NBC Los Angeles

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced a new policy Tuesday that bans officers from joining law enforcement gangs and hate groups.

Luna said he worked tirelessly with unions on the new policy to address a long-standing problem within his department.

“I’m not one to look away and say this doesn’t exist,” Sheriff Luna said. “I believe it does, but I remind everyone that 99 percent of our employees are great.”

Luna said law enforcement gang or hate group members have engaged in a wide range of behaviors that span everything from use-of-force issues to lying on reports to misconduct within the department. They’ve also heard complaints from the community about racial bias.

This new policy defines terms such as “law enforcement gang” and “hate group” and prohibits officers from participating in them.

It is also recognized that criminal charges may be brought before prosecutors and that participation in such groups may result in suspension or revocation of the deputy officer’s police certification.

But how is this enforced?

“First, you start with a good, strong policy, which I think this is. Second, you train to make sure everyone understands the policy. And then you hold people accountable,” Sheriff Luna said.

The sheriff worked with the unions on the new policy.

Association for LA Deputy Sheriffs President Richard Pippin released a statement Wednesday.

“This policy allows the Sheriff’s Department to address personnel who fail to meet expected standards of conduct, while upholding the rights afforded to all employees in this country,” Pippin said. “The ‘defund the police’ crowd may not be satisfied, but they never will be unless there is an end to any form of effective policing in our society. Given the severe staffing shortages currently facing the Sheriff’s Department, ALADS is focused on staffing and creating the excellent law enforcement agency our communities deserve.”

Sheriff Luna said the policy goes into effect on October 18.