Channel 1 Los Angeles—
Today, six members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department were convicted of federal felony offenses including conspiring to obstruct justice. According to sworn testimony, former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka, a witness for the defense at trial, remains a subject of this ongoing federal investigation.
This is a devastatingly sad day for our entire County. The LASD has lost the respect of too many in our community as well as the confidence of the dedicated men and women within the Department itself.
I look forward to leading efforts to bring about a new day for the LASD and hope to be in a position to restore a sense of trust and enable this Department to turn the corner. All of us deserve the opportunity to move beyond past problems and bring the shine back to the LASD badge. Implementing meaningful and lasting changes in the Department will require leadership, hard work and a commitment to change by those within the Department and the communities it serves.