Sheriff’s Race Gets More Divisive

The bitterly contested race for Los Angeles County sheriff has shredded old loyalties within the department and the divisions widened Wednesday, as supporters of challenger Lee Baca circulated a pair of strongly worded letters urging deputies and their supervisors to openly oppose incumbent Sherman Block.

The letters--both written by Cmdr. Bill Stonich, one of Baca’s most vocal supporters--encourage deputies to “break ranks” with the department’s leadership, something unheard of in past sheriff’s elections.

“Our proud paramilitary tradition has served us well throughout our law enforcement careers,” Stonich wrote. “Consequently, it does not come easy for us to ‘break ranks’ with the current leadership of our department. But break ranks we must.”

Department brass, meanwhile, have reacted angrily to Stonich’s appeal, saying that it is improper to ask department members to enter the political fray.

“It just makes me and a whole lot of other people in the department angry,” said Assistant Sheriff Mike Graham, who until now has declined to comment on the race. “It is one thing for the candidate to debate the issues. It’s unconscionable for someone in Baca’s camp to ask people to choose sides. It’s just going to lead people to be reluctant to work with one another.”

On Wednesday afternoon, several department commanders responded with their own letter.

“The divisiveness that you are attempting to create within the department is quite frankly, very sad,” Cmdrs. Frank Vadurro, Bill Mangan and Bob Spierer wrote to Stonich. “It can only stand in the way of our working together after the election, no matter who wins.”

But Stonich defended his decision to send his thoughts in writing to the deputies.

“The political process of electing a sheriff is uncomfortable, but it’s healthy for the organization in the long run,” Stonich said. “Issues that have not been brought to the forefront before are being openly discussed. That’s democracy at its best.”

The exchange of letters is the latest salvo in the increasingly contentious race. Two weeks ago, Block alleged that Baca--who serves as a chief in the department--offered him numerous inducements to drop out of the race, a move that may have violated the state Elections Code.

Baca responded by first confirming that he offered Block a car, an office and other perks to step aside. Then he called a news conference to deny it.

Block’s supporters allege that Stonich’s letters are simply an attempt to “resurrect” Baca’s candidacy. Baca’s supporters say that is nonsense. The letters, they say, are just “people expressing their opinion out of frustration.”

“Everyone knew going into this race there was going to be some division,” said homicide Det. Gil Carrillo, one of Baca’s supporters. “The reality is, we are like children going through a divorce with their parents.”

Indeed, this is the most heated campaign of Block’s career. In addition to Baca, retired Sheriff’s Chief Bill Baker and Sheriff’s Sgt. Patrick Gomez are seeking to upset Block’s quest for a fifth term.

If no one wins a majority of the votes in the June election, the top two vote-getters will face each other in a runoff in November.

Baca--who early on said he would not run a negative campaign--has denied involvement in Stonich’s letters. In fact, he said Wednesday, he urged the commander not to encourage deputies to break ranks.

“I just felt it was unnecessary,” Baca said.

But Block says he holds Baca responsible.

“In every election I’ve tried very hard to separate the election activity from the department,” Block said. “This is a blatant effort to create dissension. It goes right back to Baca.”

Stonich sent out his first letter--which was addressed to Block--on May 7. “Please face the facts, Sheriff Block, most of us no longer have confidence in you, or some of your highest level executives, to lead our department into the 21st century,” he wrote. “Just ask eight of 10 of your deputies or two out of three of your supervisors, managers or executives. This escalating pattern of political antics and intimidation tactics have become oppressive to us.”

In his second letter, sent to rank and file deputies this week, Stonich said: “We sincerely believe that it’s necessary to break ranks from the old lock-step formation that exists in the current administration in order to create a stronger, more vibrant formation for the future.”

To which Block’s supporters responded: “Let’s leave the politics of this election to the four candidates and to the electorate on June 2. . . . The men and women of this great organization deserve that.”