Drug Charges in Sheriff’s Dept.

Your Feb. 26 editorial “Hard Questions for the Sheriff” suggests that I am, somehow, not accountable to anyone for my department’s actions. Let me assure you that I am fully accountable to the voters of Los Angeles County every four years not only for the manner in which my department is operated, but for my display of personal integrity and credibility.

With respect to the recent indictments of 10 deputy sheriffs, when the facts are fully disclosed in trial, I hope that you will devote some of your editorial comments to recognizing the fact that this suspected wrongdoing was uncovered through internal processes and that a thorough investigation of the entire activity was conducted by members of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department. It was our decision to invite the FBI and IRS into the investigation to assist our personnel.

I can’t tell whether you are excluding us from your category “most thoughtful law-enforcement authorities,” but for the record, we do agree that “Narcotics units require more, not less, supervision than other police operations.” Our actions in this area will speak louder than our words.

Finally, I don’t believe the public is as naive as you suggest. I believe the citizens of Los Angeles County recognize that all of society must work toward a solution to a “drug crisis” that threatens all of us. Although it hasn’t been easy for the men and women in our department these past few months, we’re still in the battle and we’re not about to surrender.

SHERIFF SHERMAN BLOCK

Los Angeles