The Acting Sheriff spoke today about one of several court actions AOCDS has undertaken. He also gave an update on construction at Theo Lacy and continuing transitional changes in jail operations.

Right now, TV news cameras are inside Theo Lacy videotaping the deconstruction of privacy walls inside the barracks. This morning the Acting Sheriff referred to this deconstruction stating, "Yesterday, deconstruction in F Barracks at Theo Lacy began – with the removal of the privacy walls, which had been in place for 22 years. I think the removal of F Barracks privacy walls is a fitting symbol to the removal of our Department’s historical privacy walls and the ushering in of the Sheriff’s Department’s new culture of transparency and accountability."

Specific to AOCDS, he spoke of their most recent court action on the personnel transfer schedule: "The Board of Directors of the deputy’s union took us to court over this matter. On April 24, County Counsel represented us in Court. The union lost their move for an injunction and the transfers took place as planned on April 25, 2008. The next hearing before the judge on this matter is scheduled for May 16, 2008."

There are numerous reasons for the personnel transfer schedule as discussed in the Declaration we provided to the judge in court on April 24. The Declaration is available in full right here. Additionally, they are detailed in his address posted below.

The Acting Sheriff's board address:

Good Morning Chairman Moorlach and Honorable Supervisors:

I’m here this morning so that I can keep you informed of transitional changes in our jails and provide updates on our ongoing internal review.

Leadership in our jails remains focused on integrity and accountability. Toward that end I have three very capable jail commanders at the helm, they include:

•Theo Lacy’s Captain Dave Wilson, the Musick Facility’s Captain Jay LeFlore and the Central Jail Complex’s Captain Roland Chacon all of whom have experience in our Professional Standards Division.  Captain Dave Wilson actually managed our Internal Affairs Unit and Captain Roland Chacon supervised the Internal Affairs Unit at one time.    

•For the last 6 weeks, formal and informal training has been taking place in all of the jail briefings (at all of the jails); these briefings are facilitated by sergeants, lieutenants, captains and the Assistant Sheriff, and include topics such as ethics, use of force, restraint and temperament, professionalism and accountability.

As you know, our internal review of the information contained in the Special Grand Jury transcripts continues.

oThe investigation continues to move forward, and we are working to indentify any and all personnel who were engaged in inappropriate and/or illegal behavior.

oMike Gennaco of the Los Angeles Office of Internal Review (OIR) and his staff attend our internal review briefing updates on the progress and remain engaged in the process to ensure full transparency and accountability to the public.

I continue to work with the County CEO’s Human Resources department and County Counsel’s labor relations experts to implement positive changes on many fronts:

oOne such change was the implementation of a jail personnel transfer schedule, where jail staff will be routinely rotated among the jail facilities.

oThe Board of Directors of the deputy’s union took us to court over this matter. On April 24, County Counsel represented us in Court. The union lost their move for an injunction and the transfers took place as planned on April 25, 2008. The next hearing before the judge on this matter is scheduled for May 16, 2008.

As we explained to the judge, I issued the Order to transfer deputies to rectify serious and ongoing problems in the jails by:

1.Exposing Deputy Sheriff personnel to a variety of different duties and work assignments while also applying their own valuable knowledge to new work locations.  Variation of experiences and knowledge provide for well rounded and better qualified personnel.

2.Exposing Deputy Sheriff personnel to new assignments, which are not currently being requested and thereby encouraging them to seek other transfer and promotional opportunities in the department.  Currently, there is a dearth of desire among senior Deputy Sheriff personnel in the jail for assignments in patrol causing significant operational problems.

3.Exposing Deputy Sheriff personnel to different managers, supervisors, and peers and thereby facilitating learning new and different methods for handling a host of jail-related core responsibilities.

4.Exposing Deputy Sheriff personnel to different inmates and differing inmate classifications (i.e. administrative segregation, protective custody, special handling, etc.) that vary between jail divisions.
 
5.The regular and routine transfer of personnel among jail divisions and assignments is an essential managerial tool to foster a healthy organization.  It provides employees with new experiences, knowledge, and training while affording them greater overall development, a greater understanding of their role, and the expectations of our organization.

6.Given the content of the Special Grand Jury report, the Sheriff’s Department must alter its operations and must improve accountability by eliminating informal barriers that inhibit staff growth and promote complacency, idleness, and lackluster commitment to their duties and responsibilities.

7.Transfers are regular and routine administrative actions undertaken frequently within the Sheriff’s Department.  While most are by request, the department has and will continue to transfer personnel to facilitate staff development, and meet operational and business needs.

I continue to invite the Board of Directors of the deputies’ union to work with me and be part of the solution.

Finally, I’d like to close by reminding everyone that it’s been nearly a month since the Special Grand Jury transcripts were released – giving the Sheriff’s Department the opportunity to make positive and lasting changes. These are exciting and productive times as we are actively changing the culture in the department for a brighter future.

Yesterday, deconstruction in F Barracks at Theo Lacy began – with the removal of the privacy walls, which had been in place for 22 years.

I think the removal of F Barracks privacy walls is a fitting symbol to the removal of our Department’s historical privacy walls and the ushering in of the Sheriff’s Department’s new culture of transparency and accountability.

Thank you, and I am available for any questions.