Tensions that had been simmering for months reached a boiling point when a senior official in charge of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s supervision recently stated that he was being forced out of his position.
On the one hand, watchdogs claim that attempts to improve the Sheriff’s Department’s transparency and reforms are being thwarted. County officials, on the other hand, say that new viewpoints on the Civilian Oversight Commission are required.
The commission is still battling the county for access to internal sheriff’s department data on deputy misconduct, including inquiries into gang-like cliques that are allegedly in charge of specific stations and foster a violent atmosphere.
In a letter this month, Robert Bonner, the chair of the monitoring panel, announced his involuntary departure from the organization he has served with since its establishment in 2016. In an interview, Bonner, 83, stated that he was presiding over the commission’s May meeting at the L.A. County Hall of Records when he was suddenly notified by letter that County Supervisor Kathryn Barger would be selecting a replacement.
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In a letter on Wednesday, the head of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Civilian Oversight Commission, the leading law enforcement watchdog, announced his involuntary termination.
Bonner delivered his first speech to the commission on Thursday after announcing that his term as chair will expire this month.
Bonner expressed his continued surprise at being fired without even receiving a call from Supervisor Barger.
Additionally, he had harsh things to say about other county operators, whom he characterized as a pain in the commission’s side.
It might be dangerous. According to Bonner, the county officials, including the county counsel’s office, protect their turf and saw an independent panel as a danger to it.
He went on to say that there are forces in the county that oppose substantive, practical, and effective oversight of the sheriff’s office.
“Bonner’s claims that the supervisor summarily dismissed him were made for dramatic effect and are not only inaccurate but also mischaracterize the circumstances of his departure from the commission,” said Helen Chavez, a spokesman for Barger, in an email.
According to the statement, his claim that his presence alone was necessary to bring about improvements is self-serving and contemptuous of the committed Commissioners and staff who are working together to further the goals of the Civilian Oversight Commission. These reforms will go forward unabated because they are larger than any one person.
In a statement released to The Times last month, Barger, the chair of the county’s Board of Supervisors, stated her commitment to increasing the range of perspectives and experience represented on the Commission.
She claimed that her choice to succeed Bonner was a reflection of her wish to keep fostering public confidence in the oversight process by bringing in fresh viewpoints that complement the Commission’s crucial work.
Bonner’s commission buddy, Patti Giggans, defended the outgoing chairman on Thursday during what he claimed would be the final monthly meeting he would attend as a commissioner.
I sense that everyone here, including the commissioners, values your leadership, perseverance, intelligence, and bravery in confronting forces that may not yet agree with what successful supervision entails, she remarked.
As the Board’s advisory body, the County Counsel’s office stated in an email that it has fully supported the COC’s efforts to gather the data required to perform a strong oversight function on behalf of the people of LA County.
However, given that the office represents several parties, some observers point out that the county counsel is in a difficult situation. This includes the sheriff’s department, Barger’s office, and the Civilian Oversight Commission, which has been attempting to enforce subpoenas.
According to Peter Eliasberg, chief counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, the county’s attorneys almost always take the side of the sheriff’s department in such disputes.
Eliasberg stated that it is either deliberate or extremely shortsighted for Commissioner Bonner to be removed at this time, when he has been leading very significant reforms. I get the impression that this is another attempt to undermine this commission.
Bonner, the former head of the Drug Enforcement Administration and a former federal judge, is not the only commissioner to abruptly depart the monitoring panel this year.
Sean Kennedy, a professor at Loyola Law School, resigned in February when county attorneys attempted to prevent him from submitting a brief in court on behalf of Diana Teran, an advisor to former L.A. County District Attorney George Gasc, who was facing felony charges from the state. Despite allegations that Teran had inappropriately accessed sheriff’s deputies’ information, a state appeal court recently attempted to dismiss the case.
Kennedy stated in February that he resigned because he thought the County Counsel should not have authority over the COC’s autonomous oversight choices.
Kennedy was informed last month that the Office of the County Counsel had hired a law firm to look into him for allegedly retaliating against a sheriff’s department sergeant who had come under oversight inquiry. Kennedy has said the investigation against him is politically motivated and has denied any misconduct.
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Last Monday, a former Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department civilian monitor was notified that he is being investigated for allegedly retaliating against a deputy who was being investigated for his involvement in a unit that was suspected of pursuing cases with political motivations.
Kennedy characterized Bonner’s dismissal as the final straw for significant civilian supervision of the LASD in an email this week. According to him, the sheriff is supported by the Board of Supervisors in keeping the commissioners from accessing private records that they need to perform their duties.
By citing letters from Bonner earlier this year that the supervisor’s office claimed indicated he was eager to resign, Barger’s office reacted negatively to the criticism.
“Please be assured that I am fine with that if you decide not to reappoint me,” Bonner wrote in an email to Barger on April 18.
Barger’s spokesperson, Chavez, questioned the sharp disparity between his tone and posture and Bonner’s recent public statements.
Bonner told The Times that he followed up on his email from April 18 to say that he needed more time to accomplish his objectives as chair.
In a text message, Bonner stated, “I never wanted her to think I lusted for the job.”
Bonner and Kennedy’s sudden exits have sparked questions about who will take their place.
Hans Johnson, the co-vice chair of the Civilian Oversight Commission, was elected on Thursday to succeed Bonner when his term ends on July 17.
Bert Deixler, a former special counsel to the oversight panel, said the county was devastated by the loss of Rob and Sean, who were devoted to solving issues in the sheriff’s department. These were two exceptional men with a wealth of knowledge. A very long history.
Deixler criticized the decision to dismiss Bonner and blamed the unrest on internal political intrigue.
He said, “I just don’t understand it.” That choice could not have been made on the basis of merit.
Bonner enumerated a number of objectives he planned to achieve prior to the end of his term as head at the commission’s meeting on Thursday. Strengthening the board’s capacity to carry out efficient supervision and pressuring Sheriff Robert Luna to implement a prohibition on deputy gangs and cliques were among his top concerns.
The impact of Bonner’s termination on those plans is still unknown.
“I’m going,” he declared. After July 17, you guys need to get back on track.
