Los Angeles County could be on the verge of a significant overhaul in how it handles allegations of employee misconduct within its Probation Department. On the heels of a new motion by the LA County Board of Supervisors, Probation Department Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa has stepped forward to express his support for the consideration of an external organization to take the reins on internal affairs investigations, according to a statement obtained by LA County's official communication outlet.
Highlighting the importance of the Probation Department in both the adult and juvenile criminal justice systems, Viera Rosa emphasized the ongoing reform efforts to better align the department with the rehabilitation and reintegration goals set by the supervisors. He acknowledged the necessity of transparency and accountability, stating, "Allegations of employee misconduct must be thoroughly and impartially investigated."
The Board's motion, which was introduced in a recent session, aims to launch an assessment on the feasibility of tasking an independent body with the conduct of sensitive internal investigations.
Viera Rosa expressed gratitude towards the Board, saying, "We thank the Board for their leadership in introducing today’s motion and their active engagement in our progressive reform initiatives."
