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LA County Inspector General orders deputies to testify about alleged deputy gangs

by City News Service • May 17, 2023 11 Comments

The Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General sent letters to multiple sheriff’s deputies ordering them to submit to questioning about their knowledge of deputy gangs within the department.

The letters, dated Friday, May 12, warn that failure to cooperate with the OIG’s investigation into deputy gangs “is grounds for decertification of a peace officer.”

“Your cooperation is being sought because we believe you may have information regarding one of two groups that may be law enforcement gangs, commonly referred to as the Banditos and the Executioners,” the letters state. “The sheriff’s department is in possession of evidence that the Banditos and Executioners are exclusive, secretive and may qualify as law enforcement gangs pursuant to Penal Code section 13670(b), including by discriminating in membership based upon race and gender in a manner prohibited by this section.”

The letter warns that “absent an assertion by you of your Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, failure to answer may adversely affect your employment with Los Angeles County or your status as a certified peace officer.” It also instructs deputies to bring a photograph of any tattoos they may have on their legs, or any that resemble those that have been associated with the Banditos and Executioners.

The letter includes a list of questions likely to be asked, including a description of any tattoos they may have, and the names of other deputies they believe to be associated with internal gangs.

According to Spectrum News, which first reported on the letters, the missives were sent to 35 deputies. The Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, which is the union representing deputies, sent text messages to its members on Monday, May 15, instructing them to contact the union before responding, Spectrum News reported, adding that the union told members it was negotiating with the OIG on the issue.

The issue of alleged deputy gangs has long plagued the sheriff’s department. Previous Sheriff Alex Villanueva insisted during his time in office that he immediately cracked down on such groups, and he denied they were actively operating within the agency. New Sheriff Robert Luna, however, ran on a platform of transparency and vowed to fully cooperate in investigations into the alleged gangs.

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Filed Under: Crime/ Safety, Home, Los Angeles County

11 comments for "LA County Inspector General orders deputies to testify about alleged deputy gangs"

  1. Maddie says

    May 19, 2023 at 10:11 pm

    The majority of Californians decided years ago not to prosecute members of criminal street gangs and the criminal activities they commit for the benefit of the organization. Not only was it decided not to prosecute, victims are expected to take the damages in stride and as just a part of life. Why, all of a sudden, are they worried about a “gang” within law enforcement. So worried, a new definition for “law enforcement gangs” had to be created because the existing definition of a true gang did not work. Not sure I understand the thought process.

    Sure smells of a lawsuit that will cost the County millions when it’s all done. Good luck folks.

    Reply
    • Tim Scott says

      May 20, 2023 at 11:42 am

      This post sure smells of wild fantasy.

      Reply
  2. Iconoclast says

    May 19, 2023 at 8:22 pm

    I told Robert Luna to his face, during a campaign appearance, that Sheriff Alex had failed to handle the deputy gangs. He and the OIG are addressing this issue. However, I disagree with the stipulation that a certain number of deputies who have tattoos must show their tattoos and answer their questions. The OIC is walking on very thin ice. I don’t think any body markings should be revealed unless every member of the department including the Sheriff, OIG, etc are included. One last thing: we don’t get the number of deputies we contract for in Lancaster and Palmdale. Good luck getting anyone to be a deputy in the future with these antics.

    Reply
  3. Daniel says

    May 18, 2023 at 5:45 pm

    Gangsters don’t carry badges. By definition if you carry a badge you’re good to go.

    Reply
  4. Stephanie Woods says

    May 18, 2023 at 1:14 pm

    Riggs and Murtagh arrive at door to room 612 of Hotel where their protective custody charge , Leo Getz, is staying
    Riggs: Open up, its the police
    Leo Getz: How do I know its the police?
    Riggs: After I shoot you through the door you can examine the bullet. Open up.

    [Leo opens door, Riggs barges in followed by Murtagh]

    Riggs: That was easy. Don’t you even want to see a badge? Don’t do that again.
    Leo Getz: Lemme see a badge
    Riggs: Shut up
    Leo Getz: Ok, I get it. Bad cop, Good cop.
    Murtagh: Shut up
    Leo Getz: Ok. Ok, ok. I get it. Bad cop, Bad cop. I got it, I know all those routines.

    Reply
    • Tim Scott says

      May 18, 2023 at 1:27 pm

      LOL
      Unfortunate truth, cop movies and TV shows present a constant stream of cops breaking laws and justifying it with “happy endings.” This leads to real cops, and the general public, being totally removed from the realities of the most basic constitutional rights.

      Reply
      • Leo Getz says

        May 18, 2023 at 2:13 pm

        Could that movie be made today?

        Seriously.

        As humanity advances it sequentially recognizes it’s past errors and seeks to stop committing them.

        Unfortunately, some have nostalgia long for the good (bad) old days…

        …days when women were not allowed to vote, or hold a job, or go to college. Blacks had something like 1/5th of a white man’s vote.

        Conservatism is the anchor, or the cement booties that drowns civilization

        Reply
        • Tim Scott says

          May 20, 2023 at 11:41 am

          I don’t know if there is anything in Lethal Weapon that would keep it from being made today. Fictional cops ignoring the law is still a staple, and audiences still eat it up. There might be some backlash about how mental health issues were portrayed, but otherwise I don’t see where it would face much resistance.

          Reply
  5. Karla Kane says

    May 18, 2023 at 5:34 am

    Irony at its finest.
    Umm, doesn’t LA have a Gang Suppression Task Force? Are they going to “Police” their selves

    Reply
  6. Dan says

    May 17, 2023 at 3:14 pm

    News flash
    There are no gangs

    Reply
    • Tim Scott says

      May 17, 2023 at 7:31 pm

      Turn a blind eye much?

      Reply

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