NCJ Number
144092
Date Published
1992
Length
362 pages
Annotation
In May 1990, the Los Angeles County Sheriff established a task force to study the application of force by deputies. The task force's primary finding was that deputies of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department (LASD) use excessive force and, to date, the department has been unable to reform itself with adequate speed and thoroughness.
Abstract
The department's procedures and policies in the areas of force, complaint resolution, internal investigation, and community policies are not consistent with the agency's expressed core values. To arrive at this point, the task force recommends the elimination of all intimidation or discouragement to expression of a resident's right to complain with regard to police misconduct, internal reform to assure individual accountability, the creation of conference committees at each sheriff's station, and regular outside audits. This report provides a general background of the LASD and information on public hearings, civil litigation, the canine unit, administrative claims, complaints and discipline, officer-involved shootings, problems officers, and tracking the use of force. Other subjects covered include, inter alia, conflicts and disincentives, recruitment and hiring, promotion policies, academy and field training, community-oriented policing, stress management, and internal department culture.