LOS ANGELES, January 7, 2014 – Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe issued the statement below, following the retirement announcement of Sheriff Lee Baca:
“Sheriff Baca has dedicated his life to public service, working his way up the department’s ranks to serve as Sheriff for nearly 15 years. He has been steadfast in his commitment to the department and his focus on keeping the public safe has led to decreasing rates of violent crime in our County. Over the last few years, the department has been challenged by on-going scrutiny and investigations into the actions of a few, which has cast a cloud across the work of thousands of employees who risk their lives every day to protect our communities. Given these challenges, I think now is an appropriate time for the County to continue its implementation of the recommendations of the Citizens’ Commission on Jail Violence, allow our new Inspector General to get underway and keep the momentum for reform moving forward.”
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