Sheriff — Los Angeles County
Candidates
Alex Villanueva
- Enforce the California Values Act and keep the LASD...
- Reorganize the sheriff's department around the principles...
- Clean house after twenty years of unchecked corruption,...
Jim McDonnell
- Maintain our momentum in bringing much-needed reforms...
- Focus on our core mission of reducing crime across...
- Continue the work of the Human Trafficking Bureau...
My Top 3 Priorities
- Enforce the California Values Act and keep the LASD out of the immigration enforcement business
- Reorganize the sheriff's department around the principles of community policing and improve relations between the community and the department.
- Clean house after twenty years of unchecked corruption, dismal morale, low recruitment, severe staffing shortages, and irresponsible fiscal management.
Experience
Experience
Education
Biography
- Sworn member, Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, 1986-2018
- Planning Commissioner, La Habra Heights, 2015-present
- Adjunct Professor, Criminal Justice, California State University, Long Beach 2006-2010
- Doctor of Public Administration, University of La Verne, 2005
- Founding President, Los Angeles Sheriff's Professional Association
- Master of Public Administration, California State University, Northridge, 1997
- Commissioned Officer, California Army National Guard, 1985-1992
- Enlisted, United States Air Force, 1983-1984
With over three decades of law enforcement experience, Alex Villanueva is a unique leader within the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. Distinguishing himself early on as a straight shooter, Alex has been a tireless advocate for both the community and the hard working men and women who wear tan and green. A life-long believer in education, Alex burned the midnight oil while working patrol, earning his Master's degree long before it was expected. He took it a step further, earning a Doctorate in Public Administration while studying the impact of diversity on law enforcement leadership.
As an experienced military veteran, Alex learned many valuable lessons in leadership while serving our country in the United States Air Force and the California Army National Guard. His first reform experience was as a young deputy, when he was thrown out of a commander's office for courageously advocating for a ban on smoking within jail facilities. Sticking to his guns, Alex prevailed and the ban won overwhelming support throughout the department, saving the county millions of dollars in the process. As a union organizer, Alex fought for both transparency and ethical representation, the catalyst for many reforms within the employee organizations representing LASD members to this day.
Early on in Sheriff Baca's second term in office, Alex encountered serious evidence of corruption and executive misconduct which threatened the integrity of the entire organization. Realizing the dire consequences of unchecked corruption, Alex courageously challenged the illegal conduct of department executives, and the retaliation was swift and severe from Undersheriff Paul Tanaka and his minions. Both Alex and his wife Vivian, also an LASD deputy, were systematically shunned by managers and executives throughout the LASD. Unable to dissuade Sheriff Baca and his staff from their corrupt ways, Alex never lost sight of his commitment to serving the community, his dedication to public service unwavering.
History proved Alex's concerns to be spot on. The tarnished reputation of the LASD, the convictions of over twenty department members for the crimes of obstruction of justice, lying to federal agents, and conspiracy, all point to the indispensable need to reform the LASD from the ground up. With former Sheriff Baca and his undersheriff in prison, the LASD is in desperate need of real reform. Jim McDonnell failed to reform the department, the one job to which he was elected for.
As a bonafide reformer, Alex plans to rebuild the LASD from the ground up, reforming the organization around the principles of community policing and ethical standards of conduct. Alex's experience within the LASD, the military, and as an educator, all point to a transformational leader who can reform the LASD, raise morale, inspire people to aim higher, and improve the relationship between the community and the LASD. In 2018, Alex Villanueva is exactly the person Los Angeles County needs as our sheriff.
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
- Canada/Crescenta Democratic Club
- Eric Bauman, Chair, California Democratic Party
- Dolores Huerta, American Labor Leader and Civil Rights Activist
Organizations (52)
- Los Angeles County Armenian American Democrats
- Riverside Sheriffs Association
- Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley
- LA County Firefighters Local 1014
- SEIU USWW
- SEIU Local 721
- SEIU Local 99
- Yes We Can Democratic Club
- Westchester Playa Democratic Club
- West LA Democratic Club
- United Steel Workers LA/OC Legislative Committee
- United Steel Workers-Local 685
- United democrats of San Gabriel Valley
- LASPA-Los Angeles Sheriff's Professional Association
- South Los Angeles Democratic Club
- SEIU-United Service Workers West
- San Fernando Valley Young Democratics
- Rio Hondo Democratic Club
- Pacific Palisades Democratic Club
- Miracle Mile Democratic Club
- Los Angeles Labor Federation AFL-CIO
- Foothill Community Democrats
- Santa Clarita DAA-Democratic Alliance for Action
- Culver City Democratic Club
- CHIRLA-Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Leadership Action Fund
- Burbank Democratic Club
- Beach Cities Democratic Club
- West Hollywood Beverly Hills Democratic Club
- Arroyo Democratic Club
- North Valley Democratic Club
- Northeast Los Angeles Democratic Club
- Hubert H. Humphrey Democratic Club
- Heart of LA Democratic Club
- Feel The Bern Club of Los Angeles County
- Democrats For Neighborhood Action
- Avance Democratic Club
- Americans For Democratic Action, Southern California Chapter
- ACT Political Action Group
- Los Angeles Sheriff's Professional Association
- Los Angeles County Young Democrats
- Los Angeles County Democratic Party
- San Pedro Democratic Club
- Santa Monica Democratic Club
- Southeast Los Angeles Democratic Club
- Walnut Valley Young Democrats
- Chicano Latino Immigrant Democratic Club
- United Progressives of the San Fernando Valley
- Tri Counties Democratic Club
- Torrance Democratic Club
- Stonewall Democratic Club
- Chicano Latino Caucus, California Democratic Party
- East Area Progressive Democrats Club
Elected Officials (8)
- Nestor (Rick) Enrique Valencia, Councilmember, City of Bell
- Barbara Contreras Rapisarda, Director, Pico Water District Board of Directors
- Denise Diaz, Councilmember, City of South Gate
- Norm Zezula, Councilmember, City of La Habra Heights
- Carey Klingfus, Councilmember, City of La Habra Heights
- Roy Francis, Mayor, City of La Habra Heights
- Gloria Molina, former 1st District Supervisor, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
- Jackie Goldbert, former California State Assembly Member, 45th District
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County (2)
We can start by diverting many of those who suffer from mental illnesses from ever setting foot in the County jail. Those initial contacts in the community are the vital first step towards triaging the mentally ill person and finding ways to accommodate the intervention and treatment in the least restrictive environment available. That means finding alternative housing and sufficient support resources to keep them engaged with their individual treatment and deescalate their threatening behavior. Once at this point they will not perceived to be a threat to the community. This will require working closely with the Board of Supervisors on allocating funding, and collaborating closely with the Department of Mental Health and the Mental Evaluation Teams that pair clinicians with deputies in the field.
Once the actions of the mentally ill renders them unsuitable for placement outside the confines of the jail system, then we have to ensure our entry screening identifies those taking psychiatric medications or are under the care of the mental health system already. This will prevent a disruption of care that can be very harmful for a successful therapeutic outcome regardless of the nature of the legal ramifications of their detention. Continued care while the inmate is engaged in the criminal justice system is important, and that involves complying with all the conditions of Title 15 regarding living conditions, access to medical and mental services, programming, religious services, recreational time outside of cells, and fostering continued communications with family members.
Last but not least, each inmate needs an exit strategy once their involvement with the criminal justice system comes to a close. This means reuniting inmates to be released with their family and support system, securing suitable housing and continued mental health treatment outside of the jail system, and maintaining some level of contact with social workers to ensure their continued well being.
In order to properly address the issue of brutality, or better yet described as violence within the County jails, requires a healthy organizational culture within the entire department, one that values the services provided by those who are assigned to the County jails. There needs to be a robust force prevention effort, coupled with quality training that complies with Standards of Training for Corrections (STC), mandated by the state. Accountability for force and force prevention policies are vital. They cannot be so absolute, however, that they hinder the ability of deputies to make sound decisions in critical situations.
The jails have become more violent in general due to a variety of reasons, including prison reallignment (AB109), and a catastrophic decision made in the last few years to classify high security inmates and house them based on their behavior, instead of intelligence that shows their involvement in leading organized prison gangs. Policies that reward assaultive behavior from inmates and tie the hands of deputies to defend themselves have caused assaults on staff, including non-sworn personnel, to skyrocket.
Deputies are severely understaffed in the jails, which leaves the officer to inmate ratio dangerously high and an open invitation to test security. As sheriff I will take steps to fully staff all County jails, and provide the level of supervision required to give proper oversight of deputies while they do their jobs. Allegations of excessive force need to be investigated promptly, and decisions made based on actual evidence available. There needs to be a robust complaint system in place as well, one that does not allow complaints to slip through the cracks or be intentionally ignored by supervisors or managers. The Inspector General can play a role as well, providing an external third party source to lodge complaints.
Political Beliefs
A lifelong Democrat, Villanueva is a strong supporter of the California Values Act and will push back against Washington's attempts to make the county jail a pipeline for deportation. He has a strong track record of defending organized labor, veterans, the environment, and equal opportunity in employment. A supporter of the 2nd Amendment and gun control, Villanueva does not believe the two concepts are mutually exclusive. Diversity is a strength, not a weakness, and key to the entire community being not only represented in government but fully engaged in the democratic process. Villanueva's philosophy is forward thinking, pragmatic, and driven by evidence, not ideology. A true progressive, Villanueva is not afraid of doing what is right, even when it's not the popular thing to do.
Position Papers
Videos (4)
A brief introduction to my plans to reform the LASD and make Los Angeles County a safer place for all
A straight-speaking introduction to the campaign
Spanish version of the introductory video
An endorsement from the mayor of La Habra Heights, expanding on Villanueva's performance as city planning commissioner
Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- Maintain our momentum in bringing much-needed reforms to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
- Focus on our core mission of reducing crime across Los Angeles County
- Continue the work of the Human Trafficking Bureau to aggressively address the growing problem that victimizes some of the most vulnerable in our society, our children and young people.
Experience
Experience
Education
Community Activities
Biography
Sheriff Jim McDonnell began his law enforcement career in 1981 with the Los Angeles Police Department. While with the LAPD, he helped create the blueprint for LAPD’s community-based policing program that led to building strong relationships between law enforcement and the community. Sheriff McDonnell also served as Chief of Police of the Long Beach Police Department for five years where he implemented a number of initiatives that resulted in safer communities. Sheriff McDonnell was elected County Sheriff of Los Angeles in 2014.
Sheriff Jim McDonnell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He is also a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Executive Institute and has completed executive education programs at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
- Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce
- Los Angeles City Fire Chiefs Association
- Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association
Organizations (3)
- California Peace Officers Association
- Mexican American Bar Association PAC
- Laborers Local 300
Elected Officials (3)
- Jackie Lacey, Los Angeles County District Attorney
- Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis
- Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
Individuals (3)
- Steve Cooley, Former Los Angeles County District Attorney
- Shaquille O'Neal
- Former Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters of Los Angeles County (2)
Sheriff McDonnell believes that jail isn't the appropriate place for the treatment of the mentally ill. McDonnell has quadrupled the number of response teams that pair patrol deputies with mental health workers to divert some inmate patients into community treatment programs. The Sheriff is working with the Board of Supervisors on a new correctional facility for inmate patients in need of mental health care and substance abuse programs. This new facility is intended to be a national model that unites the County's mental health and medical professionals to provide compassionate care for this population while focusing on public safety.
McDonnell served on a commission where he gained awareness of the problems plaguing the jail system. The Commission issued a report with 63 recommendations, which McDonnell aggressively uses as a baseline for change within jails.
McDonnell negotiated agreements with the Department of Justice to increase staffing, training, and the oversight of federal monitors. Since 2014, the federal monitors report a 'sea change' inside jails in the reduction of use of force and increased deputy morale, resulting in a decline in inmate complaints. This is the result of increased accountability with supervision, cameras in facilities, and de-escalation training techniques for deputies.
Political Beliefs
Since first being elected County Sheriff of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, Jim McDonnell has stressed the importance of treating all members of our community with respect, being transparent with and accountable to the individuals that the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department serves, and creating a working environment that recognizes and rewards character, competence, and compassion.