California Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced on Friday the launch of a civil rights investigation into an alleged pattern of unconstitutional policing conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD).

The California Constitution and the California Civil Code Section 52.3 authorize the California Attorney General to conduct civil investigations of law enforcement agencies in order to determine whether the agency engaged in conduct that violates state or federal law. This “pattern or practice investigation typically works to identify and, as appropriate, ultimately address potentially systematic violations of the constitutional rights of the community at large by a law enforcement agency.” A criminal investigation is not being pursued at this time. A criminal investigation differs from a civil investigation because criminal investigations are on individual incidents rather than a pattern of behavior.  

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) will investigate the reports of “excessive force, retaliation, and other misconduct.” Specifically, illegal shootings and abuse of jail inmates are among the allegations. The incidents in the reports involve LASD management and personnel. During the investigation, investigators will interview community members and organizations, local officials, individual officers, and oversight entities.

LASD Sherriff Alex Vanueva expressed openness to the investigation. Villanueva stated that “our department may finally have an impartial, objective assessment of our operations, and recommendations on any areas we can improve our service to the community.”