LOS ANGELES—Witnesses testified May 24 that so-called “deputy gangs” are still active in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) during an LA County Civilian Oversight Commission special hearing. But LA Sheriff Alex Villanueva quickly condemned on social media the proceeding as “wildly unconstitutional and bizarre theatrics.”
The special hearing opened with witness testimony alleging that deputies have formed gangs that set up “work slowdowns,” by not answering calls in a timely manner, among other things, disciplining colleagues who fail to fall in line.
