ACLU Files Lawsuit Against L. A. County Sheriff

 Police Misconduct  Comments Off on ACLU Files Lawsuit Against L. A. County Sheriff
Jan 182012
 

Los Angeles County Sheriff, Lee Baca is under fire from the local American Civil Liberties Union regarding abuse of prisoners in the county jail. This police misconduct case has been brewing for months.

According to Southern California Public Radio (SCPR), “The American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California Wednesday filed a federal civil rights lawsuit that accuses Sheriff Lee Baca of failing to stop a ‘pattern and practice of deputy-on-inmate violence’ inside L.A. County jails.

“Baca is responsible for the operation of the jails. His deputies act as guards. The suit also names three of Baca’s top commanders.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of inmates, says Baca and his commanders ‘are aware of the culture of deputy violence that pervades the jails but have failed to take reasonable measures to remedy the problem.’ The suit says the sheriff is in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments, which provide citizens reasonable protection from violence and excessive force.

A group of deputies within the jail called the “3000 Boys” is responsible, according to the lawsuit, for the abuse of prisoners. The lawsuit also alleges Sheriff Baca knew of this group and did little to stop them.

 Posted by at 4:06 pm