Full Notification

STATEMENT BY SHERIFF JIM McDONNELL

LASD and Department of Justice Antelope Valley Settlement

April 28, 2015

I am pleased that the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and the United States Department of Justice have finalized an agreement that enables the LASD to look to the future, rather than the past, as we build upon significant progress over the past few years and seek to strengthen the bonds of trust with the community we serve in the Antelope Valley.  This agreement will enable the LASD to bring the highest standards of constitutional policing and robust training models to our staff, while establishing clear metrics that will enable us – and others – to measure the progress in our policing practices in the Antelope Valley.

I have long believed that law enforcement is only as effective as the strength of our relationships with, and the trust of, those we serve. While much more work is ahead of us, this agreement highlights the positive strides the committed men and women of this department have already made on so many fronts -- including training in regard to constitutional law and racial profiling awareness, practices relating to Section 8 housing compliance checks, and policies regarding traffic stops, arrests and detentions.  Indeed, I am proud to say that the LASD has already implemented a third of the approximately 150 requirements under the DOJ agreement.  But let me be clear that I will not be satisfied, nor should others be satisfied, until we are in full compliance with the high bar that we have willingly taken on – and I welcome the watchful eye of our community to ensure that we meet those standards. 

The challenges law enforcement faces every day in maintaining public safety and building community trust are numerous.  The collaborative process with the Department of Justice, the Board of Supervisors and the dedicated men and women in this department who serve the public in the Antelope Valley are an important and timely reminder of how we can productively engage in responsible and respectful dialogue in regard to how law enforcement can do better.

I do not view this agreement as a set of mandates, but rather as a set of opportunities that will enable the LASD to enhance our knowledge, improve our training, and raise the bar even higher in regard to our policies and practices. 

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Jim McDonnell, Sheriff

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department