The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has appointed current Orange County Undersheriff John Scott as interim Sheriff of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Scott will assume command of the Department following Sheriff Leroy Baca’s retirement, effective January 30, 2014.
Scott has over 40 years of experience in law enforcement, and began his career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1969. During his tenure with the department, Scott rose through the ranks from Deputy to Acting Chief, where he was responsible for the Custody Operations Division. Following his retirement from the Department, Scott was brought into the Orange County Sheriff’s Department by Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens in 2008 to serve as Undersheriff.
Board Chairman Don Knabe issued the statement below following the Board’s selection:
“The Sheriff’s Department is at a crossroads, and John has the necessary experience and skills to step in right away and lead in the interim. During his over 40 years in law enforcement, John has served in capacities across the board, from operating the County’s jails to patrolling unincorporated communities. This wide range of experience will allow John to continue our efforts to aggressively implement recommendations made by the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence, while maintaining the great work of the thousands of men and women who keep our communities safe. During his tenure with Orange County, John has been instrumental in turning around a department that faced similar conditions to those we face today in Los Angeles County. I would like to thank Orange County Sheriff Sandra Hutchens for allowing John to take a leave from his duties as Undersheriff to return to Los Angeles County. Sheriff Hutchens began her law enforcement career with Los Angeles County, and she cares greatly about the department’s future. The Board looks forward to working closely with John over the next 10 months before a newly elected Sheriff takes over the department.”
John Scott, Interim Los Angeles County Sheriff Biography:
John Scott joined the Sheriff’s Department in January of 1969. As a deputy, he patrolled the Lakewood Station area. In 1974, he was promoted to Sergeant and held assignments at Firestone Station, the Special Enforcement Bureau and the Emergency Operations Bureau. Following his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant in 1984, Commander Scott took assignments at Men’s Central Jail, Carson Station, Field Operations Region II Headquarters, the Office of Emergency Management, Employee Relations, and was the Executive Aide to the Assistant Sheriff. In 1995, he took command of Carson Station following his promotion to Captain. In June 2001, he held the rank of Acting Commander, leading the Custody Operations Division, North Facilities.
Scott holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Redlands University, and a Master’s Degree in Public Communications from Pepperdine University.
CV for Undersheriff Scott available here: Resume