The Los Angeles County Probation Department says it has placed 66 of its officers on administrative leave in the past five months for alleged crimes, including excessive force, sexual abuse and drug possession.
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Probation Department announced Monday that it has placed 66 of its officers on administrative leave over the past five months for alleged crimes, including excessive force, sexual abuse and drug possession.
The department said the announcement was intended to be an effort to “regain public trust” as it roots out employees who engage in misconduct at the nation’s largest probation agency, with 2,800 sworn officers.
“We are releasing this information in the spirit of greater transparency and to assure our stakeholders – especially the families of young people in our juvenile facilities – that we will not tolerate anything that impedes our mission of providing a safe, nurturing and structured environment for those who are trusted. in our care,” Chief Probation Officer Guillermo Viera Rosa said in a statement.
Probation officers on leave since Jan. 1 have been assigned to the department’s adult and juvenile operations.
Of the 66 officers cited, 39 were for general misconduct, which includes suspected use of excessive force, child endangerment or abuse, possession of contraband and negligent supervision, authorities said.
Additionally, 18 were removed on suspicion of sexual misconduct and nine for non-employment-related arrests.
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