Retired Official Enters Race to Unseat Sheriff

The former head of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detective division Wednesday announced his plans to run against incumbent Sherman Block in the June election, saying the department has suffered from a “lack of vision.”

“It hurts me when I see the organization as it is today,” said Bill Baker, 60, who retired in 1995 after 35 years with the department.

Citing problems with the department’s overtime spending, errors in keeping prisoners in jail too long and problems with providing medical care to inmates, Baker said Block has ineffectively managed the department.

“The only instances in which reform or change has taken place has been as a result of publicity or controversy,” Baker said, who will be one of at least two candidates trying to unseat Block.

“I know morale among the rank and file is down. Everything is stagnant. It is time for the department to move forward,” he said.

Baker made his announcement on the steps of the Hall of Administration. He was joined by his wife of 39 years, Pearl, who is the younger sister of defense attorney Johnnie L. Cochran Jr.

Cochran has sent out letters to his network of friends and colleagues urging them to support Baker for sheriff. So far, Baker said, he has raised $100,000 for his campaign, compared to about $276,000 raised by Block.

Although he expects to be outspent by Block, Baker said: “I will say that there will be more than sufficient funding to get my message across.”

Baker joined the Sheriff’s Department in 1960, quickly moving up the ranks from deputy to captain of various sheriff’s stations. He also served as division chief of court services, technical services and field operations. In his last position as division chief of the detective division, Baker was responsible for managing the work of criminal investigators in six specialized bureaus.

Baker retired from the department three years ago. He said he felt frustrated with the direction the agency was taking. He also said he felt he had advanced as far as he could under Block.

He went to work as a law enforcement consultant and, traveling around the country, competed in racquetball tournaments. Then, in October, he got a call from former colleagues urging him to join the race, Baker said.

“I chose to run on their behalf, and as an act of concern based on my 35-year relationship with the department,” Baker said.

Lee Baca, a 32-year department veteran in charge of the West Hollywood, Marina del Rey, Lennox, Century, Carson and Lomita stations, plans to announce his candidacy today. Baca, 55, also oversees a countywide gang intervention program.

Meanwhile, Block, 73 and suffering from a variety of chronic ailments, is seeking a fifth term in the June 2 primary. If no one wins a majority of the vote, there will be a runoff between the top two vote-getters in November.

Meeting with reporters Wednesday afternoon, Block said his experience makes him the best qualified candidate for the job.

“I’m not trying to prove anything,” Block said. “I just feel there is a job to do and I’m the best one to do it. . . . I’m probably more in touch with this community than any of the candidates.”

The problems in the jails--particularly the lack of automation--have been caused by years of underfunding from the Board of Supervisors, officials said. Block said a new inmate tracking system is set to come online in April. It will solve many of the problems that have led to hundreds of inmates being detained past their release dates, the sheriff said.

Block has endorsements from the five county supervisors, Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Assn. and the Los Angeles Police Command Officers Assn. Baker has received support from former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and Councilwoman Rita Walters and Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Barbara Ferraro.