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Extracted from Consolidated Report

This investigation was originally published as part of a larger consolidated report containing multiple investigations. View the consolidated PDF for the complete document.

Los Angeles County Grand Jury • 2016-2017

Make Invsetments that Transform Lives

Published: June 05, 2017 13 pages
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Note: Missing finding numbers detected: F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12, F13

Findings 6 findings

F1 Page 187
The Civil Service Commission is the appellate body for County employees who have received disciplinary actions. The CSC is a County Charter-mandated independent commission and serves as a quasi-judicial appellate body for classified employees who received a formal hearing and have been disciplined.8 The disciplined employee may file an objection with the CSC. In 2014 (the last year that figures were available), the CSC sustained 56% of the LACPD’s decisions, sustained in-part 31% of the decisions and did not sustain 13% of the decisions.9
F2 Page 187
Disciplined employees of the LACPD have the assistance of an advocate, an attorney who works with AFSCME 685, the union representing the Los Angeles County Deputy Probation Officers. This advocate represents LACPD employees in 80% of the disciplinary proceedings.10 The CGJ was interested in the promotional practices within the LACPD. The 6 Los Angeles County Probation Department-News Room-Media Information website, Jan. 10, 2017. County of Los Angeles Probation Department, Juvenile - # of Youth on Active Probation Supervision by Age (Snapshot Data – as of October 3, 2016). County of Los Angeles Civil Service Commission 2014 Annual Report. Ibid. Meeting at AFSCME 685, Dec. 12, 2016, 3701 Wilshire Blvd., #501. 2016-2017 LOS ANGELES COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY FINAL REPORT 165 advocate confirmed that “all other things being equal, promotions are based primarily on seniority and that this is a long-time understanding with the County.”
F3 Page 188
In a meeting with staff from the offices of two members of the Board of Supervisors, the CGJ was told that there was a recent motion passed by the BOS to determine if a formal Probation Oversight Commission should be established. The BOS hired Resource Development Associates (RDA) to conduct an assessment of best practices in criminal and juvenile justice and the optimal organizational structure. This would include a potential split between youth and adults and how to best serve the Transitional Aged Youth (ages 18-24) population. (The RDA report will not be completed prior to the publication of this CGJ Final Report.) 11 Additional findings from this meeting were: a. Diversion programs for youth are a major focus. These programs are to help youth avoid a life of crime and to avoid going to jail when a minor crime is committed. b. It is believed that new progressive leadership is needed in the LACPD and the newly appointed executives are the right people to implement necessary changes. c. The current promotional policy within the LACPD is based on seniority. The BOS are looking into this policy; however, there is a concern about keeping turnover to a minimum. d. The Alternate Public Defender’s Office now represents juveniles in court when there is a conflict of interest with the Public Defender’s Office.12 e. As of May 2016 solitary confinement was eliminated in juvenile detention facilities.13 f. A redesigned juvenile facility, Camp Kilpatrick, is scheduled to be re-opened in April
F4 Page 188
In an interview with a senior official at the LACPD the CGJ learned of changes the LACPD feels will benefit the juvenile offenders it serves. This official feels that treating the youth in custody with respect is of the utmost importance.
F5 Page 189
As part of the CGJ’s mandate to inspect detention facilities within Los Angeles County each year, members of the CGJ visited all the juvenile camps and halls within the County. These inspections revealed the low number of detainees and empty areas in all the facilities. The CGJ was informed of the change from a philosophy of punishment to one of rehabilitation. Retraining will need to be implemented to bring all employees up to date on these changes. Most camps are in remote areas of the County. It is very important that juvenile offenders be able to keep in contact with their families and vice versa. This will keep the families bonded so there will be mutual support upon the release of the juvenile offender. The CGJ witnessed improvements within these facilities. During the unannounced CGJ visits to these camps and halls, members witnessed many positive activities. While we noted that some of the facilities are old and in need of repair or replacement, the educational programs at the halls and camps were functioning very well with dedicated staffs. Many of the staff members have been on the job for quite a few years and are dedicated to helping these youth succeed. In talking to several officers at the facilities we found that while many are long-term employees, working between 20-30 years, there has been a frequent turnover in LACPD leadership in the last several years. In the last 10 years, there have been five Chief Officers of the LACPD. V
F14
2 County of Los Angeles Board of Supervisors 14.1, 14.2 VII ACRONYMS

Recommendations 4