Jail Workers Face Probe in Theft of Seized Narcotics

Four civilian employees of Van Nuys Jail have been relieved of their duties pending an investigation into the theft of drugs seized from suspects being booked into the jail, Los Angeles police said Tuesday.

The employees, who continue to draw paychecks, were ordered last week to remain at home during working hours after three of them failed drug tests and the fourth refused to submit to a test, Police Cmdr. William D. Booth said.

Booth would not disclose the employees’ names. They were ordered to stay at home so they can be called in for questioning if needed, he said.

Police said evidence gathered with the help of tips from an anonymous informant prompted police officials to order the four women to take drug tests.

The thefts were of small amounts of cocaine and marijuana taken from suspects as they entered the jail, Booth said. Police are investigating whether drug charges were not brought in some cases because the confiscated drugs were stolen before they could be marked as evidence.

People arrested for misdemeanors normally are given only a pat-down search for concealed weapons until they are booked into the jail, Booth said. A more thorough search is conducted then, and if it turns up drugs, they are supposed to be held as evidence against the suspect, he said.

The investigation has not found that any of the stolen drugs were being sold, and the results of drug tests on three of the reassigned employees suggest that the drugs were for personal use, Booth said.

When the investigation is complete, Police Chief Daryl F. Gates will review the findings to determine whether disciplinary action is warranted, Booth said.

Evidence probably will be presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office for a decision on whether to file criminal charges, he said.

The Police Department has the authority to demand that employees take a drug test if there is a reasonable suspicion that they have taken illegal drugs, Booth said. A positive drug test or refusal to submit to one are grounds for disciplinary action, he said.