Demand Accountability of the L.A. Sheriff’s Department

TAKE ACTION NOW

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**UPDATE: On Tuesday, July 12, the Board of Supervisors voted (4-1) to begin the process required to get a measure on the November ballot that would finally hold the sheriff accountable. The board will need to vote once more — during its meeting on Tuesday, August 2 — to approve the measure for the November election. Take action below.**

No matter what office, function or role, our public officials take an oath to support and respect our rights and represent the common good and the public — not inflict harm. But in Los Angeles County, when a sheriff breaches this oath and abuses their power, our tools for real and meaningful accountability are tragically far and few.

For decades, Angelenos have witnessed a culture of corruption and impunity in the sheriff's department, leaving people who are stopped or incarcerated at risk of abuse or worse. For more than half a century, deputy gangs have emerged among the ranks and management of the sheriff’s department and terrorized community members.

This culture of violence comes from the very top and is left unchecked by our dated county charter — our county's constitution.

We need a county charter that works for the people of Los Angeles today and tomorrow, and that gives us the tools necessary for when a sheriff violates the law and the public trust. We need checks and balances, which are pillars of a functioning democracy, aimed at not allowing one person or agency to become too powerful.  Creating checks and balances on the sheriff has been long overdue, and changes to our county charter can ensure essential oversight of the sheriff.

Join the Check the Sheriff coalition, ACLU SoCal, and more than 100 community and labor organizations in urging the L.A. County Board of Supervisor to refer to the voters for the November 8, 2022 Election a county charter amendment for common sense checks and balances, public trust, and sheriff accountability.

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Your Message

Subject Approve items 32 and 33 to hold the sheriff accountable

Members of the Board,

I write to urge you to propose to the voters an amendment to the county charter that will create common sense checks and balances and accountability of the sheriff.

No matter what office, function or role, our public officials take an oath to support and respect our rights and represent the public and the common good — not inflict harm. But in Los Angeles County, when a sheriff breaches this oath and abuses their power, our tools for real and meaningful accountability are tragically far and few.

Message Body

For decades, Angelenos have witnessed a culture of corruption and impunity in the sheriff's department, leaving people who are stopped or incarcerated at risk of abuse or worse. And for more than half a century, deputy gangs have emerged among the ranks and management of the sheriff’s department and terrorized community members.  
 
This culture of violence comes from the very top and is left unchecked by our dated charter.

We need a county charter that works for the people of Los Angeles today and tomorrow, and that gives us the tools necessary for when a sheriff violates the law and the public trust. We need checks and balances, which are pillars of a functioning democracy, aimed at not allowing one person or agency to become too powerful. Creating checks and balances on the sheriff has been long overdue, and changes to our county charter can ensure essential oversight of the sheriff.

At its heart, this is a matter of racial justice, and the county can no longer tinker around the edges of significant structural reform of the sheriff’s department.

Therefore, I urge the supervisors to refer to the voters for the November 8, 2022 Election a charter amendment that will allow removal of the sheriff by a four-fifths vote of the Board of Supervisors for cause, including serious violations of the public trust. In addition, the Board should its policy-making authority over the sheriff’s department, and ensure permanent and independent civilian oversight.

Sincerely,

[First Name] [Last Name]
[Your Address]

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Demand Accountability of the L.A. Sheriff’s Department

TAKE ACTION NOW

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