Fatigue Behind the Badge

The tragic death of a 21-year-old LA County Sheriff’s deputy in a car crash this week raised renewed questions about how mandatory overtime shifts have exhausted some of the Department’s workforce. Dep. Daniel Chavira died at a hospital after he was airlifted from the scene of the crash. He was driving home after working a double shift at the North County Correctional Facility in Castaic, and within hours we heard from some of his colleagues, who told us the, ‘relentless,’ required overtime has left thousands of deputies weary and in need of sleep (as of this recording the cause of the crash was still under investigation and it wasn’t clear whether fatigue on the part of any of those involved - played a role in the crash).  Thanks for listening to The Leonard Files – Stay with us as we uncover the investigations from some of LA’s most challenging and intriguing moments. Subscribe now so you don’t miss the next episode of The Leonard Files.