L.A. County panel calls for audit of Probation Department’s ombudsman
The Los Angeles County Commission for Children and Families is calling for an audit of the county’s probation ombudsman and the grievance process for youths in detention halls and camps.
The commission’s leader, Patricia Curry, sent a letter to supervisors Tuesday requesting an independent review of the ombudsman’s procedures, reports and phone service to ensure that complaints of mistreatment are investigated.
The request follows a Times story about probation officers who were convicted of crimes or disciplined for inappropriate conduct involving current or former probationers, including several cases of officers molesting or beating youths in their care. The story also revealed that the phone number for the department’s ombudsman listed on websites and signs posted in the halls and camps had been inoperable. It was repaired after inquiries from The Times.
Interim Probation Chief Cal Remington said the phone line was mistakenly shut off by probation staff for about two weeks during a cost-cutting review of unused lines because records showed the ombudsman never used it to make outside calls. He said department staff fixed the line as soon as they were alerted to the problem. “We certainly want kids and families to have access to our ombudsman,” Remington said, adding, “It shouldn’t happen again.”
In addition to Curry’s request, Supervisors Zev Yaroslavsky and Mike Antonovich have proposed that the Office of Independent Review, which monitors the Sheriff’s Department, evaluate the Probation Department’s internal affairs and child abuse investigations. And, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas has proposed expanding the department’s internal affairs staff.
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