Duffy Says He’s Taken Action on Grand Jury’s Critical Report on Jails

Saying he has become “even more personally and directly involved in the management problems of the jail,” Sheriff John Duffy told the San Diego County Grand Jury on Monday that he has launched an in-depth internal investigation into claims of inmates being abused by his deputies and into the identity of the so-called Rambo Squad.

The sheriff, in a five-page memo to the grand jury, outlined a list of changes he said he has implemented in the wake of the jury’s findings in March that many current and former inmates have been assaulted by sheriff’s deputies.

“I believe we have made significant progress towards resolving the issues,” Duffy said.

“We have directed policy modifications and procedural improvements for handling and reporting incidents involving inmates, including use of force and inmate deaths.”

Armistead B. Smith Jr., foreman of the grand jury, reserved comment on Duffy’s memorandum.

“The jury received it and we are appreciative it was on time,” Smith said. “But we have not had an opportunity to review it, so I have no comment. It may be several days before we have an official response.”

Months of Allegations

The grand jury’s conclusions of inmate abuse by deputies, including those making up the Rambo Squad in the El Cajon Jail, came after months of allegations in which scores of inmates, many of them arrested for minor infractions, said they were beaten, assaulted or suffered emotional abuse at the hands of deputies in the six county detention facilities.

In his response Monday to that report, Duffy reiterated his pledge to reassert his leadership in the jails.

“I am committed to correcting all deficiencies noted by the grand jury or any other duly constituted body charged with the responsibility of investigating the condition of the jails,” he said.

“I cannot do it alone, however. The jails have been neglected by the county for many years.”

He noted that more than 4,000 inmates are now being housed in facilities designed for 1,826. He said jail maintenance is “almost non-existent, except what we are able to do ourselves.”

“All of the infrastructure and support functions such as medical, food services, counseling, etc., are severely overtaxed,” he added. “We need help yesterday.”

On specific recommendations made by the grand jury, Duffy said he has issued a memo to all of his staff members directing them to “cooperate fully and truthfully” with his internal affairs officers investigating inmate abuse.

He said he has assumed responsibility to “personally select and assign all ranking officers” from sergeants and above.

And he said that all use-of-force reports will be kept in the commander’s office and reviewed by the proper chain of command within the Sheriff’s Department.