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The LA Times on the 2014 secret Sheriff’s Dept. list of deputies with histories of misconduct
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This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

Dec 11, 2017
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The LA Times on the 2014 secret Sheriff’s Dept. list of deputies with histories of misconduct
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department keeps a secret list of deputies with a history of misconduct.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA - JUNE 26:  Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell addresses a news conference prior to the destruction of approximately 3,400 guns and other weapons at the Los Angeles County Sheriffs' 22nd annual gun melt at Gerdau Steel Mill on July 6, 2015 in Rancho Cucamonga, California. The weapons, confiscated in various law enforcement operations, will be recycled in the form of steel rebar to be used in construction. California law requires the destruction of the confiscated weapons. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell addresses a news conference at the Los Angeles County Sheriffs' 22nd annual gun melt at Gerdau Steel Mill on July 6, 2015 in Rancho Cucamonga, California.
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David McNew/Getty Images
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The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department keeps a secret list of deputies with a history of misconduct.

The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department keeps a secret list of deputies with a history of misconduct.

Sheriff Jim McDonnell has been fighting to get this so-called “Brady list” into the hands of prosecutors. The issue is that these officers testify in court. And prosecutors need to tell criminal defendants if there’s evidence that would undermine any of these officer’s credibility as witness.

The Sheriff’s Deputies union has been pushing back against the Sheriff, saying that giving prosecutors access to the list would harm deputies and could cast doubt on criminal prosecutions that they’ve been involved in. The California Supreme Court has taken up the case and is likely to come down with a decision next year.

Very few people get access to this list, but last week, the L.A. Times did a long investigation of the 2014 list from the Sheriff’s Department. We talk to two of the reporters to hear what they learned.

We reached out to District Attorney Jackie Lacey and the Sheriff's Department. They were unable to join us on-air. 

Guests:

Frank Stoltze, KPCC correspondent who covers criminal justice and public safety issues

Maya Lau, reporter on the metro desk covering the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for the Los Angeles Times

Corina Knoll, staff writer at the Los Angeles Times

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