LAPD's Probation Officer Leave Scandal: 66 Officers Accused of Misconduct, Violence, and Sexual Misconduct

The Los Angeles County Department of Probation has placed 66 sworn probation officers on leave since January 1, 2023, amid investigations into a range of alleged offenses, including sexual misconduct, youth-on-youth violence, and general misconduct. The latest revelations come as the department faces scrutiny over its handling of incidents at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall.

Los Angeles County Probation Officer Scandal: 66 Placed on Leave Amid Misconduct Allegations

The Los Angeles County Department of Probation has placed 66 sworn probation officers on leave since January 1, 2023, pending investigations into a range of alleged offenses, including sexual misconduct, youth-on-youth violence, and general misconduct.

The department announced on Monday that the figures include 14 officers placed on leave related to youth-on-youth violence at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in Downey. These cases are being investigated by the office of California Attorney General Rob Bonta.

Another 39 probation officers are accused of general misconduct, which includes suspected use of excessive force, child endangerment or abuse, possession of contraband, and negligent supervision.

In addition, 18 were placed on leave for suspected sexual misconduct and nine for arrests unrelated to their employment.

"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," probation agency chief Guillermo Viera Rosa said in a statement.

Those placed on leave were assigned to the department's adult and juvenile operations, Rosa said.

Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall reopened last year to replace two other facilities after authorities closed it in 2019. In February, the California Board of State and Community Corrections declared Los Padrinos and another youth facility unsuitable to house youthful offenders. The body gave the facility 60 days to rectify any issues or else it could be ordered to close its doors.

In April, the board reversed its finding after determining that improvements had been made. In its Monday announcement, the Probation Department did not reveal any details about the latest violence at the facility.

Rosa said all the officers placed on leave account for a small minority of the department's nearly 2,800 sworn personnel.

"It is out of respect for the majority of our officers, who perform their duties each day with integrity, that we moved quickly on these cases," he said. "It's not right that the majority should be tarnished by the misconduct of a few. We will not tolerate anything that is an affront to our mission and a disgrace to the important work we do."

Fox News Digital has reached out to Bonta's office and the Probation Department for comment.

The allegations against the probation officers have raised concerns about the safety of youth in the county's juvenile facilities. Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall has been the subject of previous investigations into allegations of abuse and neglect.

The Probation Department has said it is committed to ensuring the safety of youth in its care and is taking steps to address the allegations. The department has also established a hotline for reporting misconduct by probation officers.

The scandal has also cast a shadow over the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, which provides security at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. Sheriff Alex Villanueva has faced criticism for his handling of the situation, including his refusal to cooperate with the California Attorney General's investigation into the facility.

The ongoing investigation into the alleged misconduct by probation officers is expected to continue for some time. The outcome of the investigation could have a significant impact on the Los Angeles County Probation Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.