The portrayal of the seven members of the super-secret law enforcement clique - the seven men who promoted aggressive police tactics, offered cheers to civilian shootings and branded themselves with tattoos - is utterly disturbing. 
Our Los Angeles sexual assault attorneys understand that, ironically, these group of officers were part of the agency's anti-gang efforts, with a specific goal of removing guns from L.A. streets.
Yet, they were in many ways a gang themselves. They even had a name: The Jump Out Boys.
The Los Angeles Times reported on the group last year, but formal action by the department wasn't announced until earlier this month, when agency officials reported members of the clique had been fired.
What's probably even more troubling is the fact that such mini-gangs within the agency aren't all that uncommon. The Times reports that the agency has a "long history" with such groups. In many cases, members of these groups were elevated to top positions within the department.
To the public, the top brass has promised to crack down on these cliques, saying that they encourage conduct that is unethical and inflict damage to the agency's reputation.
The Jump Out Boys, the sheriff's office said, hadn't done anything illegal, according to the results of an internal review. However, the image the group portrayed was not in line with the official one the agency is trying to present. A pamphlet created by the group, which ultimately proved to be its undoing, likened deputies to "alpha dogs," who must think and act like "wolves," (i.e., criminals) but never actually become wolves.
Additionally, the department noted that the identical tattoos the members of this group got were huge smiling skulls with skeletal hands grasping a gun. Those who had been involved in an on-the-job shooting would mark it with ink depicting smoke from the barrel.
Members of the group said this was to show their bravery, dedication and courage. They said their connection was no different than those formed by fraternity brothers or Boy Scouts.
But Boy Scouts aren't routinely armed with weapons and fraternity brothers aren't responsible for upholding the law. We expect law enforcement officers will be held to a different standard, and, given the immense trust we place in them, that they will view gunfire as an absolute last resort - not something to be celebrated.
In light of this, we certainly wouldn't doubt if there was more to the practices of this group. Many times, victims of police brutality are afraid to come forward, fearing - often with good reason - that the retaliation would be swift and fierce.
Just two years ago, the agency fired six corrections deputies who had their own hand gang symbols and called themselves the "3000 boys." There were allegations that this group was racist and in fact targeted prisoners on this basis. However, the extent of their "brotherhood" wasn't discovered until they brawled at a holiday party and ended up punching a female officer in the face.
If you have been a victim of wrong-doing by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, contact The Okorocha Firm at 1-800-285-1763.
Additional Resources:
L.A. County Sheriff's Department intends to fire seven deputies, Feb. 6, 2013, By Robert Faturechi, Los Angeles Times
More Blog Entries:
Okorocha Law Firm Files Suit on Behalf of Dawn Zamudio Against LASD for Civil Rights Violations, Feb. 5, 2013, Los Angeles Employment Lawyer Blog
