The Los Angeles County Probation Department has placed 66 of its officers on administrative leave in the past five months due to alleged offenses, including excessive force, sexual abuse, and drug possession, the Associated Press reports. The department said the announcement Monday was intended to “regain public trust” as it roots out employees who engage in misconduct at the nation’s largest probation agency, with 2,800 sworn officers. “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,” said Probation Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa
The probation officers placed on leave since January 1 were assigned to both the department’s adult and juvenile operations. Of the 66 officers cited, 39 were for issues of general misconduct, which includes suspected use of excessive force, child endangerment or abuse, possession of contraband, and negligent supervision. In addition, 18 were put on leave for suspected sexual misconduct and nine for arrests unrelated to employment.