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August 24, 2012

The Honorable Board of Supervisors
County of Los Angeles
383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
Los Angeles, California 90012
Dear Supervisors:
30-DAY STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE OCTOBER 18, 201"
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' MEETING REGARDING THE MERRICK BOBB AND
OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW REGARDING THE JAIL SYSTEM
On October 18, 2011, your Board requested IhallOO Los Angeles County Sheriffs
Department (Department) report back on the motion to immediately implement the
recommendations previously made by Special Counsel Merrick Bobb and Ihe Office of
Independenl Review. In addition, your Board requested the Department report back on
deputy worn video cameras, the status of the Department's hiring practices, sting
audits, a force rollout team, and the length of time deputies serve in the jails. Attached
is an update on each recommendation from the June 20, 2012, response.
Should you have any questions or require additional information, please contact me or
Assistant Sheriff Cecil W Rhambo, Jr.. al (323) 526-5065.
Sincerely,

LE OY D. SACA
S ERIFF

RECOMMENOAn ONS BY MERRICK BOBS AND OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW
REGARDING THE JAIL SYSTEM

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES· SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

The purpose of this document is to prOVide a status of the recommendations by dale
and litle, prepared by Special Counsel Merrick Bobb, the Office of Independent Review,
and the Board of Supervisors.

I.

Install surveillance cameras at the Men's Central Jail, the Inmate Reception
Cent~ and the Twin To_/'$ COfTVCtion;J1 Facility within 3D days and
develop a plan to purchau and Instal1 surveillance cameras at the
remaining jail facilities .

The Department has installed all 705 cameros at Men's Cenfral Jail (MCJ) As of
May 31, 2012, all cameros are online and tl!OOfding.
The Department is ins/alfing camaras at Twin Towers Correctional Facility
(TTCF) and the !nmale Reception Canter (IRC) Currentfy. 659 cemeras heve
bsen installed at TTCF (2 recording) and 64 cameras have been Instefled at IRC
(19 recording).

The attached document (Camera Project Status Report) depicts the
Deparimenf's curront status on camero instaflation and the proj6Cted lolal of
cameras.

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Additional
provide storage
hard dnves
01 video
and
footage
storage
enclosures have
deployed provide /ong-tenn storage of the video
footage. TechniciClns are enalyZlng equipment effICiency and stOrag6 capacity as
cameras are added to the system. Options rff garding the expansion of video
storage have been considered in order to meet /egal and Board approved
requirements for archived video, while ensuring quality raso!ution at various
frame rates.

The nel>#orlc upgrade for MCJ was completed at /he elld of April 2012. The
instal/alion of the servers and storage equipment was completed at the end of
May 2012_ The network upgrade for aN of TTCF and IRe IS currently underway
and is scheduled to be completed in November 2012. The remaining cameros
for TTCF and IRC are scheduled to be brough' on line in Decembftr 2012.

Pa~

1 019

RECOMMENDAnONS BY MERRICK B08B AND OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW
REGARDING THE JAil SYSTEM

Polic y
The DtJpartment has drafted a new policy regarding video sutV8iJlallC9. The
policy is in the final stages of being revlBwed by Department executives end
County Counsel.

II.

Eliminate the use of heavy flashlights as batons to subdue Inmatos.
The Department and the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS)
came to a mutual agreement regard/fig the usa of flashlights In the jails. The
Shenff direcled and approved e new policy to limit the size and weight of 1116
flashlight The poliCY specifieS that the flashlights shall not weigh more than 16
ounces, and shall no! be more /han 13 inches in length. Flashlighls longer than 6
Inches shall be of plastic or nylon composite malerial only. The Custody Division
Manual (COM) section 3-0&'055.20 Flashlights, was published all May 23, 2012.
This policy effective date witl be extended to September 1. 2012, in order to allow
employees a reasonable transition period to acquire a new duty tfgll/, or be
iSSUf!d a lightweight baltery msert from the Department.

111.

Eliminate the use of "steel·toe" shoes.
Recommendation implamented.

On October 24, 201 1. tha Department made rovi$i.)ns to the eXlstmg 'Footwear"
policy (MPP 3-031225.(0) This policy was published into the Dep&1menfs
Manual of Policy and Procedures and disseminated to all p8fsanne/ on
Febtvary 12. 2012.
Resaarr;h of existing personnel showed that Department personnel have never
wom 'slool toe~ Doots in any capacity; however, the Department formally revised
rhll policy to strictly prohibit any use of ·steel toe' boots.

IV.

Revise the Policy on Head Strikes with Impact Weapon s to forb id all head
strikes, including, but not limited to, head strikes against flxod o bjects
su ch as floors , walls or Jail bars , unless the standard for lethal forc e has
been met
Recommendation implemented.
On Oc/ober 10, 2011. thfJ Sheriff initiated a "Fon:e PreV6lltion" policy (COM 3-021035.00) which provides d/l"eClion for personnel rela/ing 10 respecl based
treatment of incarcerated indJviduafs. This policy was published into the Custody
DIvision Manual and disseminated 10 all custody assigned personnel on
November 8, 2011. The policy wes then discussed with the AI..AOS WClfking

Page 2 of 9

RECOMMENDATIONS BY MERRICK 8088 AND OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW
REGARDING THE JAIL SYSTEM

group in which revisions W9f& made. The revised ForCfJ Pravenlion poRcy was
republished and redistributed to a/l personnel in the jails on March 19, 2012.
On October 26,2011, the Department made additions to the existing
' Unreasonable Force' (MPP 3-011025.10) policy and the "Activation of
Force/Shooting Response Teams' (MPP ~09/434.05) to strictly prohibit head
strikes against a hard object. Unless o/helWisa handled by the Intemel Affairs
Bureau (lAB), the Custody Forr:e Response Team (CFRT) responds to all forr:e
if'tcicients where any head strike occurs, whether the sirike Is initlSted by
parsonttel, or by con/act with 1/00($, walls orothfN hard objects The
' Unreasonable Force~ and "Acltvalion of ForceJShoollflg Response Teams '
policies wefe published into the Departmenfs Maf'tuaJ 01 Policy and Proceduros
and disseminated to all personf'tei on FebruBf}' 13, 2012

V.

Rotate jail deputies betweon floors at Men's Central Jail and othor jail
facilities at no less than si)(·month inlervals.
Recommendation Implemented.
In January 20", MCJ began rotating their staff 110 less then every six months.
After consulting with ALADS, 8 new Custody Dire<:tive 'Manda/ory Rolation of
Line Personnel in Custody' (12-001) was published and disseminated 10 all
cvstody personnel OIl February 17, 2012, mandating the rmotion of all cvslody
line personnel evety six months.

VI.

Enforc:e the Anti-Retatlation Polky to prevent Sheriffs deputies from
relaU ..tlng against inmates speaking with legal representative. or inmate
advocacy groups or for expressing disutisfaction with jail conditions.
Recommendation

imp~manted.

In August 2011, the Department made revisions to the existing "Treatment of
Inmates" (COM 5· 121005.00) policy to prevent deputies from relaliallng against
inmates. All slaff assigned to Custody Division were provided 8 formal briefing
on the revisions to the policy. The briefing began August 4, 2011 , and continued
for a lWo-week period. In aridillon, lIle Department redistribuled the policy on
October 25, 2011, for anofher /Wo-week feGrJITing briefing to ensure each $/aff
member was fully aware of t/"Je expectations of the policy and mandated quarterly
recurring briefings be conducted.

The Depilrtment made addillonal revisions to the existing 'Treatment a/Inmates'
policy in order 10 separate and create specific orders relating 10 retaliation
8ga/nst inmates. The Custody DivisiolJ Manual, 'Anti-Retaliation Policy" (COM 5Page J ofe

RECOMMENDATIONS BY MERRICK BOBB AND OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW
REGARDING THE JAIL SYSTEM

12/005.05) mandates that all complaints of retaliation are fotwarded to lAB; the
captain of lAB will determine which unit will conduct the investigation. This
revised version of the "Treatment of Inmates' policy and the new "Anti-Retaliation
Policy" were published and disseminated to all custody personnel on
February 27.2012.
VII.

Interviews of inmates who make claims of excessive force should not be
conducted by, or in the presence of, the deputies or their supervising
sergeant involved in the alleged use of force.

Recommendation implemented.
On October 26. 2011, the Department made revisions to the existing "Use of
Force Reporting and Review Procedures · (MPP 5-091430.00) policy ensuring
privacy during force intefYiews. This policy was published in the Department's
Manual of Policy and Procedures and disseminated to all personnel on
February 13, 2012.
VIII.

Interviews of inmates alleging use of force and any witnesses must occur
as soon as feasibly possible, but no later than 48 hours of the incident.

Recommendation implemented.
On October 26, 2011, the Department made revisions to the existing "Use of
Force Reporting and Review Procedures· (MPP 5-091430.00) policy directing
supefYisors to immediately conduct intefYiews. As noted in VII, this policy was
published in the Department's Manual of Policy and Procedures and
disseminated to all personnel on February 13, 2012.
IX.

Develop a prioritization process for Use of Force Investigations to ensure
that the most severe incidents are completed within 30 days and that all
others are completed within 60 to 90 days.

Recommendation implemented.
The Department developed a CFRT Directive (11-005) that established new
criteria for force review in the jails. This ensures that significant force casas. not
handled by lAB, are externally evaluated and completed within 30 days. At that
time, they are reviewed by the newly formed Custody Force Review Committee
(CFRC), which consists of three commanders. The last CFRC was conducted on
August 23, 2012. and included oversight by the Office of Independent Review
(aiR). The next CFRC is scheduled for September 18. 2012.

Page4of9

RECOMMENDATIONS BY UERRICK BOBB AND OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW
REGARDING THE JAIL SYSTEM

The Depariment continues 10 process the most sevent incidents as lAB
Investigations, which are gBnarally compkJtad within 90 days unless unaxpectfJd
circumstances arise_
The CFRT Directive was published end disseminated to a/l CliStady personnel on
November 7, 2011. The aforamentioned CFRT Directive was revised and
publishBd as a Custody DiviSion Policy on May 23, 2012. The CFRC policy was
published and disseminated to all custody personnel on Apnl16, 2012.

X,

Davelop ill plan for more Intonn supervision that requires jail "rgoants to
dil"9cU~ supefVise jail deputiH. lncluding walking the row of Jail cells and
"oors lind responding as soon as possible to an~ notification of Intefltction
where force is being used on an inmate.
Recommendation Implemented a/ MCJ.
On October 27, 201" the Deperimant ooJivered a /eUer to the CEO requesting
additional supervisory staff in the jails However, the Deparlment fall it wes
imp9rative /0 immediately increase staffing et MCJ.
Effective November 6, 2011 , 19 sarge ants were added to MCJ's ourrent staffing
to ensure the appropriate supelVfslon was In place_ These items were removed
(rom otflerctitical areas within the Department and deployed to COl'8r both Day
and PM shifts Funding for these items was requested in a letter to the CEO on
October 26, 2011, however, to dale the request has gone unfulfilled. There are
now 2 sergeants assigned to 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, and 9000 floors, and a fulltime sergeant is dedicated 10 170011750. All sergeants were briefed on the
expectations to be visible and ectively monffonng activity on the floor at 811 times.
In addition, the Departr11(lIlt is worKing on "duty statements' for a/l custody
personnel to ensure they have 8 full understanding of the expectations of their
assignment.

XI.

Immediatel~ mandate that all c ustody medical personnel report eli
suspicious injuries of Inmalos to the Internal Affairs Bureau or tho captain
of the jail facility where the Inmata Is housed.

Recommendahon implemented.
On October 26, 2011, /he Department's Medical SeNices Bureau revised the
"In}ury//iiness Reporl - Inmate" policy (M206.09) 10 include a proVlSJOn requiring
medical steff 10 advise the facility watch commander in the event an Inmate
reports/al/eges that tOOir injuries are the result of force used by a Department

PaS8 5 of S

RECOMMENDATIONS BY MERRICK BOBB AND OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT REV IEW
REGARDING TH E JAI L SYSTEM

employee.

This policy was diswminaled to ell medical personnel on October 26.

2011.
XII.

Report back on the rolo of the new jail c ommanders and how they will be
used to reduce jail viOlence.
As reponed /0 the &;lard on November 1, 201 1.
Since the imptementation or efforts by the CMTF 10 ~ jail VIOlence end
associat9d use of lorce incidents, tolal significant uses offorce continue to
decline. Two documenls are attached relating to force inoiOOnts in the jails

Force Used by Month - Significant force vs. Less signlfican! force
Force Year to Date - 2007 to 2012
The /811 commanders continue
goals wt forth by the Sherfff.

to wort With each custody uml to accomplish the

The jail commanders oversee the operations of the CMTF, comprised of live
commanders, eight lieutenants, eight sergeants, and four support stoff The
lieutenants, sergBants, and suppod staff are all items that were removed from
critical units within th& Oepertmenl and deployed 10 this task fon:e.
The CMTF MissJOn is to assess and transform the culture of the custody facilities
in order to provide a safe, secure learmng environment for our Depadment
personnel and the inma tes placed in the Depadmenl's care. The CMTF's
purpow ;s to ampower Department personl1el /0 provide a level of
professionalism and serw the needs of inmates consistent with the Department's
"Core Values. ~
The CMTF's responsibilities and goals include promoting community trust,
reducmg j ail violen ce by changing ths deputy culture of ths custody environment.
encouraging respect based communications with inmates, reviewing and
implementing new training for staff assigned to the j ails, preparing and reVising
all directives and policies necessaty to Implement Special Counsaf Menick. BOOb
and OIR recommendations, analyzing force incidents and developing and
implementing a custodial career path
The CMTF and Custody Supporl SeN ices have been working collaborativsly to
fulfill rscommenda tion requests mada by the American Civil Liberties Union,
Special GCJunse/ MfJrrick Bobb, the OIR, and the Los AngeJes C<uJnty Board of
Supervisors, which pertain to the jails.

Page6of 9

REC OMMENDATIONS BY MERRICK BOBB AND OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW
REGARDING THE JAIL SYSTEM

The eight CMTF lieu/enants WOIk directly /fISGromplish/ng Ille goals 58t forin by
Sheriff 8fId CMTF commanders. The eight CMTF sergeants are comprised
as a jail force "rofl-our team (CFRT) who OV&P.!88, fflfl{)lor and reView ell
significant force cases lnat meet a particular criterion, yel do not rise to tntl level
of an lAB investigation.
tfltI

XIII.

Sheriff to work with the Chief Executive Office to Immediately study the
fl-aslbllity of purchasing officer wom video cameras for all custody
pef'$onnel to use, to identify potential funding for this purpose, and
develop appropriate policies and procedures for the USti or these cameras.
Policies should include II requirement that custody penlonnel record ali
interactions with Inmatetl, including Title 15 checks, any movement
throughout the jail facilities and any use of force. Each failure to record or
Immediately report any use of force against inmates muat be appropriately
disciplined.
As reported to the Board on March 13. 2012.
The Deparimenl is conducting a six month ·Proof of Concept" in order to
determine whether there is a practical use for Personal Video Recording
(PVRD, in Custody Operations Divisions.

Devices

The Department has received and iswed 30 PVRD's (or Ihe pilot program. The
CMTF drafted a guideline, end conducted training for the volun/eer deputies
involved in tha progrem, Tha PVRD's are I'oOm by deputies interacting with
inmates at MeJ and TTCF. The Department has conducted testing with tl)1'98
different models of PVRD's. The pilof program began 011 February 26, 2012. and
is nearing Iha end of ils six-month pilot period. The Depaffment wi" provida e
review of the pilot program in the f1fIx/ monthfy slatus report

XIV.

Consider the feasibility of targeted and random undercover sting
operations pertormed in custody fa ci lities to ensure deputies are working
within policy.
As reported in closed session.
Th e Shariff discussed this motion during the November 1, 2011, closed session
meeting.

Page70fG

RECOMMENDATIONS BY MERRICK BOBB AND OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW
REGARDING THE JAIL. SYSTEM
XV.

Consider II " roll-out
custody facility.

toam~

to investigate when there Is a use afforce In a

Recommendation implemented.
Sflginnlng Novembflr 2011, the Department created the CFRT, comprised of
eight sergeants and a lieutenant, who are tasked with responding to selected
custody facility force Incidents.
Thfl CMTF created e Sft' criteria that mandates facility watch commanders 10
contact the CFRT and request a response. The CFRT sergeant will oversee and
assist In the force documenta tion for the facility. In the course of reviewing the
incident, tha CFRT sergeant shall givfl specific direction to the handling
supBfVisor. If any policy violatioos are discovered, the CFRT will Imroodiatety
assume responsibility of /he foroo investigation and inlflat9 illllAB inV9s1igalion.
All incidents requiring 9 CFRT response wlfl be re viewed by a oowfy formed
CFR C comprised of threa commanders assigned to Custody Division. The
CFRC has the authority 10 order additional investigation , make
recommendations, or request an lAB Investigation If there appears to be e
possible violation of Department policy. SlOW the implementation of the CFRT,
they have responded to 82 Incidents as of August 18, 2012

XVI.

Report back in 30 days on the hiring standards for deputy sheriffs and hOW"
they changed durIng the last hiring push.
Recommendation completed - a full report on the hiring standards was provided
In tha November f, 2011 leiter.

XVII.

Consider a two·trac k career path for deputies, patrol deputies and custody
deputies.
FBasibility study IS ongoing

On December 16, 2011, the CMTF concluded en extensive (w(I..monih study
which aTJ8l}7ed different melhods of implemenling a two·track. career path wMin
the Department. Study results and CMTF recommendations have 009fJ
presented to the CEO, ALADS, Professional Peace Officers Associa tion (PPOAJ,
and the Public Safety Cluster Agenda Review (CAR) meeting on February B,
2012.
The Department formed 8 subject matter ellpert worlang group to update tha
current sergeant and lieutenant classificatIOnS (or the Dual Track Career Pa/h

Page 8 019

RECOMMENDATIONS BY MERRICK BOBB AND OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT REVIEW
REGARDING THE JAIL SYSTEM

proposal, and is also working with the CEO's Classification Unit regarding its
impl9mentation. The CMTF continues to conduct informational m66tings
conceming the proposal with the CEO, ALADS, and PPOA.

XVIII,

Review e)(isting policy of assigning new deputies to custody functions,
specifically, the length oftimo spent in custody and the hiring trend as its
primary determining factor, and rovhse the policy to reduce the longth of
time deputies serve in custody.

On October 28, 201 f. thfJ Depat1f1l6nt authorized cusrody personnel 10 initiata
eXlens/Ofls if they desire to remain in their current assignment As o( August 17.
2012.438 deputies have taken adVantage offhis offer; which will ultimately
cause a roducIion 01 time that deputies win SeNe in a custody assignment.
As noted in the above item, recommendations for a twcrtrack career path were
presentfK1 to the CEO, ALADS, PPOA. and too Public Safety CAR meeting Of)
February B, 2012, Which will reduC6 the length of time deputies. serve in custody

Page90f 9

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