Civilian Commission Begins Investigation on Gangs Within LASD

On March 24, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission began its investigation into the deputies gangs within the Sheriff’s Department. The gangs have been within the department for decades, and the commission is using a team of pro bono lawyers to find out how much they have influenced the department and how to get rid of them. The commission will use its subpoena power to hear testimony at regular monthly meetings and special public hearings. However, the current sheriff, Alex Villanueva, has ignored three different subpoenas from the commission, including one investigating the deputy gangs.

The investigation is intended to find out which stations the gangs operate out of, and the impact they have on the community. The investigation is supposed to take five to six months. Ultimately, the investigation will write a report advising how to get rid of the gangs.