Supervisor Mitchell’s Statement on Release of Bodycam Footage Displaying Excessive Use of Force by Sheriff Deputy

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell provided the following statement in response to the release of bodycam footage today by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

“The body cam footage Sheriff Luna released of a male deputy using excessive force during an interaction with a Black woman and her infant in Palmdale, CA is shameful. This footage, along with the most recent display of excessive force by deputies from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station, are further indication of the need for a culture shift that ends the long history of brutality directed towards Black people and communities of color by law enforcement. Simply put, these acts of violence cause immeasurable harm and I expect zero tolerance for this behavior.”

“I want to thank Sheriff Luna for working towards increased transparency and accountability in the department. If our goal is to end excessive force and the trauma it causes, then this level of transparency is necessary for rebuilding public trust and must be paired with investigative measures to help prevent it from happening again.”

“After hearing Inspector General Huntsman’s oversight recommendations during this week’s public Board of Supervisors meeting, it is my expectation that the LA County Sheriff’s Department will join other local law enforcement entities in changing its policies to permit internal investigations to proceed concurrently with criminal investigations in order to expedite justice and increase transparency for the public. It is also my expectation that this department, along with every County department, fully embrace its role in helping to achieve our inaugural Racial Equity Strategic Plan so as we work to deliver public service to 10 million residents, we are preventing harm and creating more just, safe, and thriving communities.”

“I look forward to the outcomes of the investigation into these matters and will continue to work with the Office of the Inspector General, the Civilian Oversight Commission, and the Sheriff’s Department to address the systemic issues that are at the root of this issue and can only be solved by working together.”