The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) of Southern California this week filed a petition against the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, alleging the agency violated a new law giving Californians more access to law enforcement officer records.
California’s Right to Know Act, also known as SB 1421, went into effect Jan. 1 and gives more transparency to the public regarding police records than they have had in 40 years.
The ACLU of Southern California, one of the key sponsors of the law, subsequently made 400 requests of law enforcement agencies statewide seeking records of police shootings, other serious uses of force and sustained findings against officers of dishonesty and sexual assault. Only the LASD objected, saying it was too broad in scope, according to the civil rights organization.
“In passing SB 1421, the California Legislature recognized that the public’s right to know how a law enforcement agency responds when their officers kill a member of the public, or commit serious misconduct, is necessary to hold police chiefs and sheriffs accountable for the policies and practices of their departments,,’’ said Peter Bibring, director of Police Practices of the ACLU SoCal. “Much as they may want to, the L.A. Sheriff’s Department cannot avoid transparency and accountability by refusing to follow the law.’’
A sheriff’s department representative did not immediately reply to a request for comment at press time.
The Los Angeles Superior Court petition was filed on behalf of Demetra Johnson, Vinly Eng and Zachary Wade. All are relatives of people killed in confrontations with deputies and none have received records they sought from the LASD regarding the deaths of their family members, the petition states.
Johnson’s son, Anthony Wade, was killed in the Westmont neighborhood on Feb. 4, 2018, by deputies who said he had a gun in his waistband, even though no weapon was found, the petition states.
“My son Anthony was 16 years old when he was shot by the deputies for no reason,’’ Johnson said. “He had no gun, nothing to threaten them. It has been more than a year and I still don’t have answers. We deserve to see those records, not just for my family, but because it will help change the sheriff’s department.’’
Eng’s sister, 40-year-old Jazmyne Eng, was shot and killed on Jan. 4, 2012, at a psychotherapy treatment center in Rosemead. The center called the LASD to assist in holding her involuntarily for inpatient care, but within 12 seconds of visual contact, a deputy shot Jazmyne Eng with a Taser and another shot her with a gun, according to the petition.
Wade’s nephew, Nephi Arreguin, was killed on May 7, 2015, in Cerritos. Arreguin was in his car, possibly sleeping, when deputies approached, suspecting him of burglary, the petition states. He was shot shortly thereafter and it is unclear whether he was sitting in the car when he was shot or driving toward a deputy, according to the ACLU filing.
