The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is facing scrutiny from oversight officials who are urging the disbandment of the sheriff’s Risk Management Bureau. The bureau, comprised of 83 personnel, has come under fire for allegedly silencing whistleblowers, protecting favored employees, and downplaying misconduct within the upper ranks of the department. The County Office of Inspector General released a scathing report on February 20, describing the bureau as “flawed” and “inappropriately aggressive” under both the prior and current sheriff’s administrations.

One alarming instance highlighted in the report involved the bureau’s retaliation against a deputy who blew the whistle on misconduct within the department. The bureau falsely reported the deputy to state oversight authorities for dishonesty, a charge that could have permanently tarnished his law enforcement career. Additionally, the report found that the bureau failed to report allegations of deputy gang membership to state authorities, even after a deputy named individuals involved in court.

Former Sheriff Alex Villanueva and several top aides were also scrutinized in the report for misleading the public about a photo-sharing scandal. Despite Villanueva and his aides being caught on tape lying to a reporter, the department failed to launch an investigation into the matter. The report condemned the bureau’s actions, stating that it corrupts the county’s efforts to improve government conduct and misuses government resources for the protection of the Sheriff’s Department.

In response to the report, Sheriff Robert Luna criticized the recommendation to disband the bureau, calling the report “speculative, unfair and irresponsible.” Luna defended the department’s efforts to mitigate risk and reduce liability, pointing out that under his administration, the department reported over 3,600 instances of serious misconduct to state authorities overseeing law enforcement certification.

Despite the calls for disbandment, the Sheriff’s Department announced that it would not be following the recommendation. The bureau’s captain has been temporarily reassigned, not due to work performance, according to officials within the department.

The report also shed light on concerns regarding the bureau’s handling of cases referred to state authorities for decertification under a new law, SB 2, which took effect in 2023. The report detailed instances where the bureau aggressively pursued cases against whistleblowers while neglecting to report serious allegations against high-ranking officials and other department members. Delays in reporting incidents and inaccuracies in statements submitted to state authorities were also outlined in the report.

One notable case mentioned in the report was that of a public radio reporter, Josie Huang, who was violently arrested while covering a protest in 2020. The Sheriff’s Department initially accused Huang of failing to identify herself as a reporter and lacking press credentials at the time of her arrest. Subsequent investigations revealed that Huang was wearing media identification and was wrongly charged with obstruction, resulting in a $700,000 legal settlement.

Overall, the report paints a troubling picture of the Risk Management Bureau and raises concerns about its practices and decision-making processes. The sheriff’s response to the report indicates a shift in relations between the department and oversight officials, highlighting the need for greater accountability and transparency within the Sheriff’s Department.