LA County Sheriff's Department Bans Deputy Gangs with New Policy

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LOS ANGELES, CA — In response to decades-long concerns about the presence of gangs within its ranks, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) has enacted a new policy banning gang participation among deputies. The policy, titled "Prohibition - Law Enforcement Gangs and Hate Groups," comes after numerous investigations into 19 deputy gangs and several legal claims tied to their activities, resulting in over $54 million in settlement payouts since the early 1990s.

The new rule prohibits deputies from participating in, recruiting for, or promoting gang-related activities. It also mandates investigations into alleged gang involvement, with possible referral for prosecution. This policy, which goes into effect in 30 days, follows California’s 2021 ban on law enforcement gangs under Penal Code §13670.

Decades of Gang Activity

The LASD has faced allegations of gang involvement since at least the 1970s. In a scathing 70-page report issued by the LA County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, deputy gangs were called a "cancer" within the department. Groups like the Banditos and Executioners, operating out of the East LA and Compton Sheriff’s Stations respectively, have been accused of promoting violence, favoritism, and discrimination.

The Inspector General’s Office (OIG) has also long investigated these groups, with reports of deputies sharing gang tattoos and engaging in organized violence. However, efforts to investigate these claims have been stymied by legal challenges, including a lawsuit from the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALDS), which argues that such investigations violate constitutional and labor rights.

New Policy and Continued Concerns

LA County Sheriff Robert Luna emphasized the importance of accountability, stating that candidates for captain and above will now be asked about tattoos linked to these violent deputy gangs. However, the Inspector General, Max Huntsman, expressed concerns about the lack of oversight in the creation of the new policy, which his office was not allowed to monitor.

Despite these concerns, community advocates and watchdogs like the ACLU have pushed for more aggressive reforms, citing deputy gangs' long-standing influence within LASD. Meanwhile, ALDS defends deputies' right to due process, pushing back against allegations of systemic gang activity.

With this new policy, LASD aims to begin dismantling these groups that have tarnished the department’s reputation. However, as Huntsman noted, while this is a legal step in the right direction, it may not fully address the deeper issues of deputy gang culture within LASD.