Baca’s Challengers Gain Deputies’ Support
Top Sheriff’s Department officials dropped their union memberships because of union support for challengers of Sheriff Lee Baca, officials said Thursday.
The Professional Peace Officers Assn. endorsed Sgt. John Stites in the March 5 election, and the Assn. for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs appeared to be poised to back Sgt. Patrick Gomez.
The peace officers board also gave Stites a $1,000 campaign contribution, which led some union members to question the direction of the group. Undersheriff William Stonich, Assistant Sheriff Larry Waldie, and Cmdrs. Doyle Campbell and Chuck Jackson notified the union that they could not remain members. All were promoted by Baca and are considered loyal to him.
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