Block Faces Challengers in Closed Debate

Debating his three challengers for the first--and possibly only time--before the June election, Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block used an unusual closed-door forum to portray himself as a leader who has devoted his career to supporting his deputies.

It was a message tailored to his audience, members of his department’s largest union, which sponsored the Wednesday night event. The debate, which lasted about 90 minutes, was closed to the public and the media. Union leaders said they wanted deputies to be able to quiz the candidates on mundane issues--such as what kind of holsters they should carry--without media or public scrutiny.

With hardly a mention of the scandals and problems that have dogged his department in recent months, Block actively solicited support from members of the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs. Block, 73, argued that he has the clout and experience to lead the department for the next four years.

“I have a proven track record in all aspects of managing this department,” Block said. “I believe, without question, I’m the most qualified person to continue as sheriff of this county.”

His challengers, however, told the 130 union members and department insiders that it is time for a change.

“Sheriff Block, you have done many good things for this department,” Sheriff’s Chief Lee Baca said. “I know you love the department and want it to prosper. But it is time for a change. Respectfully, I ask you to reconsider your decision [to run]. Allow this department to move forward.”

Retired Sheriff’s Chief Bill Baker said: “Unless you have been living in a closet, you know that this department is broken and it needs fixing.”

Political analysts Thursday criticized the decision to bar the media and the public from the debate. “The public has a right to know,” said political consultant Joseph Cerrell. “The union lost a big opportunity in serving the public.”

Although union members--who released a tape of the debate Thursday--say they plan to hold two open forums in coming weeks, Block says he has prior engagements and won’t be able to attend. Cerrell said he was not surprised that the sheriff plans to shun debates to which the public and media are invited.

“It’s a general rule of thumb that the incumbent doesn’t want to give any public exposure to his or her opponent,” Cerrell said.

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This year’s election marks the first time in Block’s career as sheriff that he has faced significant opposition. If no one wins a majority of the vote in June, there will be a runoff election between the two top vote-getters in November. Department insiders worry that Block--who has a severe kidney problem requiring hemodialysis three times a week--is physically not up to a long, difficult campaign.

Moreover, Block and his department have been confronted with one scandal after another. Earlier this week, a department administrator and an independent food contractor pleaded not guilty to bribery charges involving padded contracts for millions of dollars in jail food.

Two weeks ago, the department was hit with allegations that its deputies provoked assaults on suspected child molesters being held in Men’s Central Jail. Officials there have been criticized for allegedly providing inadequate medical and psychiatric care to inmates and for keeping some prisoners in custody too long because of paperwork problems, costing the public tens of thousands of dollars in settlements.

But on Wednesday night, Block sought to spotlight the department’s achievements.

“We are indeed a national leader in the law enforcement community,” he said. “This doesn’t come by accident. It comes about because of the reputation that the men and women of this department have for excellence.”

He added: “Over the years, I have been able to establish personal relationships with people in significant positions. I can call a U.S. senator, and she will take my call. I can call the governor of the state, and he will take my call. Members of the Legislature will take my call. As a result, we have been able to bring resources into the department that would otherwise not be available.”

In response, Baca said that if he is elected, he will keep Block on as a consultant. “I do not want the sheriff not to continue to be a part of this organization,” he said. “I, as a candidate, will make a place for him. . . . There has to be a succession plan, which we currently don’t have. That’s why I have stepped into the breach and have entered this race.”

Baker was less generous. “This ship is sailing in troubled waters,” he said. “We look over the bow of that ship, we see that iceberg coming right at us. Now is the time for us to take note of the circumstances we are in. Now is the time we can make a change.”

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Patrick Gomez, a sergeant in the department’s Temple Station and the fourth candidate in the race, said, “I think Sherman Block is very courageous to run for another term. . . . But I think I’ve got some good ideas and long-term plans.”

After the event, several deputies said they were largely unimpressed by what they heard from all the candidates.

“We have lived with Sheriff Block for 16 years,” said one deputy, who asked not to be identified. “The deputies have a lot of concerns. What we heard tonight, from all the candidates, sounds like the status quo.”

Said another deputy: “I agree it’s definitely time for some kind of change. I don’t believe the department can continue to grow and go on the way it is now. . . . I wasn’t impressed by what I heard. It just sounds like they are giving the politically correct answers, but they’re not really answering the questions. We’ll see what happens at the other forums.”