66 Probation Officers Put On Leave For Excessive Force, Sexual Abuse & More

Dozens of probation officers in Los Angeles County were put on administrative leave over the last five months for several misconduct allegations, including excessive force, sexual abuse, and drug possession.

The Los Angeles County Probation Department announced that 66 of its officers were put on leave since January 1, according to a Monday (May 13) news release. The probation officers were assigned to the department's adult and juvenile operations and will face internal affairs investigations.

Officials said 39 of those officers were cited for issues of general misconduct, including suspected use of excessive force, child endangerment or abuse, possession of contraband, and negligent supervision. Eighteen were put on leave for alleged sexual misconduct and nine for arrests unrelated to employment.

The nation's largest probation agency states this is an effort to "regain public trust" and single out employees who engage in alleged misconduct.

“We are releasing this information in the spirit of greater transparency and to assure our stakeholders — especially the families of youths in our juvenile facilities — that we will not tolerate anything that impedes our mission to provide a safe, nurturing and structured environment for those entrusted to our care,” Probation Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa said in a statement.

The release states nearly 2,800 sworn officers work at the department.

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