The ongoing crisis at Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall has reached a critical point, affecting not only the safety and well-being of the youth in our custody but also our own safety and the ability of the LA County Probation Department to properly supervise high-risk probationers. A recent article from the Daily News highlights the department's desperate plea for help through mutual aid requests from local law enforcement agencies. Relying on outside agencies that are already struggling to recruit new officers and are challenged to fulfill their own missions is hardly the solution we need. The Department’s approach only compounds the problem and distracts from the need to implement a probation-driven fix. These outside agencies are unable to provide the vital work that Field DPOs have performed and should be performing every day.
While the Department and the Board of Supervisors (BOS) refuse to hear it, this Union continues to point out that the largest single number of probationers, both adult and minors, supervised by the Probation Department are NOT in a Juvenile Hall. They are in our neighborhoods and in our communities, and public safety demands that expert Field DPOs continue to perform this vital function. Simply put, outside agencies are not equipped to do our job. And it’s not as simple as having other peace officers conduct compliance checks. Who is going to write the reports that are critical to the justice system and testify as part of the justice system that protects public safety every single day in the County?
To address the crisis head-on, the Local 685 Executive Board believes that the answer lies in leveraging the skills, expertise, and commitment of dedicated Probation Officers. It doesn’t make any sense to force Field DPOs into the Juvenile Halls where they haven’t worked for years, then seek outside assistance to cover the work that Field DPOs have expertly provided day in and day out for years. Local 685 has a plan to resolve this situation immediately—by mobilizing probation officers who are already trained and capable of stepping in to restore the necessary staffing levels, ensuring both safety and efficiency. This is not the time to turn to external agencies; it’s time to support the workforce that is ready and able to meet the challenges at hand.
The Los Padrinos Staffing Crisis – Here's Why It Happened
1) A ten-year history of failing to hire and/or promote qualified senior staff
For over a decade, the LA County Probation Department has consistently failed to hire enough qualified staff or promote from within, leaving positions vacant and understaffed. This prolonged shortage of skilled personnel has hindered the department’s ability to effectively manage operations, meet the needs of the community, and maintain public safety standards. Many senior staff who have demonstrated the necessary skills and experience have been overlooked, leading to morale issues and a lack of leadership within the department.
2) The loss of rehabilitative and vocational programs for justice-involved youth
Over the years, the LA County Board of Supervisors has directed the closure or termination of numerous rehabilitative and vocational training programs for justice-involved youth, cutting off critical opportunities for these young individuals. These programs provided essential skills and career pathways in fields such as firefighting, healthcare, and construction, all of which are vital for the rehabilitation process. Reopening and expanding these programs would not only support positive behavioral change and skill development but also improve recruitment and retention efforts for Probation-Peace Officers by restoring morale and attracting new candidates through meaningful career-building initiatives.
Further, the closure of these programs has significantly impacted the recruitment and retention of probation officers whose mission is to rehabilitate youth. The loss of these programs has made it harder to attract new officers and has led to lower morale among existing staff, who are committed to the rehabilitation of youth but are now faced with reduced resources and support.
3) Board/CEO micro-management of Probation Department operations, including budget and human resources
The department has faced continuous interference in its day-to-day operations from the Board of Supervisors and the CEO’s office, particularly in areas of budget allocation and human resource decisions. This micromanagement has resulted in delayed hiring processes, limited operational flexibility, and a failure to prioritize critical staffing needs, further exacerbating staffing shortages and affecting the overall efficiency of the department.
4) Historical failure to meet BSCC Title 15 minimum staffing requirements
For years, the Probation Department has failed to meet the staffing standards set by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Title 15 regulations. These standards are crucial for ensuring proper supervision and safety of individuals in probation facilities, and the failure to meet these requirements has raised concerns about the safety of both staff and individuals under the department's supervision, potentially leading to liability and oversight by external agencies.
5) Unilateral changes made to terms and conditions of employment without bargaining
The department has implemented significant changes to terms and conditions of employment without engaging in proper bargaining with the union. These changes have undermined the rights of workers and led to disputes over workplace conditions, affecting morale and trust between the department’s leadership and its employees. These actions have resulted in grievances and strained labor relations, further complicating the ability to address staffing and operational issues.
6) Home Assignment Policy (300-400 employees re-assigned to home)
The Probation Department implemented a Home Assignment Policy, which has resulted in the reassignment of 300-400 employees to home duties. While intended to manage staffing shortages, this policy has led to an ineffective use of resources, as many employees are capable of performing their duties but are restricted to home assignments due to the lack of proper accommodations. This policy has further exacerbated the staffing crisis by leaving critical positions unfilled.
7) 250 Field Deputies involuntarily deployed or transferred
A large number of Field Deputies (250) have been involuntarily deployed or transferred, causing significant disruption to their work-life balance and the overall operation of the department. These involuntary moves have led to staffing gaps and a strain on other staff members who have been forced to absorb additional duties without adequate support, leading to burnout and decreased effectiveness.
8) Failure to accommodate +/- 200 employees with temporary restrictions resulting in civil lawsuits
The department has failed to adequately accommodate approximately 200 employees with temporary medical restrictions, a situation that has resulted in several civil lawsuits. These employees, who are capable of performing certain job functions with reasonable accommodations, have been left without proper accommodations, leading to potential legal liabilities and further diminishing the department’s ability to provide necessary services.
9) Revised Attorney General Stipulated Judgment provisions
The revised Attorney General Stipulated Judgment provisions have introduced new oversight measures, including the appointment of monitors and subject matter experts (SMEs) to assess and report on the department’s compliance with specific regulations. While this added oversight is designed to improve accountability, it also places additional pressure on the department to meet compliance standards, further highlighting the ongoing challenges in staffing, training, and operations.
Local 685’s Immediate Action Plan: A Probation-Driven Solution to the Crisis
The Los Angeles County Probation Department should take immediate action by rescinding its Home Assignment Policy, suspending involuntary field deployments, and making reasonable accommodations for hundreds of employees who are capable of performing peace officer functions.
Additionally, the County should partner with the State of California to re-open shuttered programs like the Fire and Sports Camps and rehabilitate existing facilities and/or build new facilities that ensure that justice-involved youth have access to comprehensive mental health care and support services essential for rehabilitation and reintegration.
Probation in the News
LA County, struggling to supervise ‘high-risk’ probationers, pleads for help Click here
Former drug addicted probationer lauds probation & recovery. Click here
Seattle/King County Faces Shortage of Youth Probation Officers. Click here
SEIU rejoins the AFL-CIO. Click here
Introducing the New Local 685 Calendar: Meet DPO II Wiggins, Our Custodian of Records
The Local 685 Probation Officers at Work calendar is now available and being distributed. If you haven’t received one yet, please let us know! These calendars offer a unique opportunity for us to learn more about each other's job duties within the incredible field of probation. They help us understand how our roles come together in serving the residents of Los Angeles County who rely on us for support.
Allow me to introduce DPO II Wiggins, our Custodian of Records. Mr. Wiggins plays a vital role in locating and verifying probation documents. As I distributed these calendars, several officers remarked, “Oh, I talk with him all the time, but I’ve never met him!” His role is crucial in ensuring the authenticity of probation documents, and he provides information on how these documents are created and maintained to ensure their admission into evidence.
The custodian of records is responsible for the secure storage, management, dissemination, and destruction of criminal probation records. Acting as the primary contact for any requests or inquiries regarding these records, DPO II Wiggins ensures strict compliance with confidentiality laws and regulations. His duties include verifying the legitimacy of record requests, redacting sensitive information when necessary, and maintaining meticulous recordkeeping practices. DPO II Wiggins is an unsung hero in our department, and his work keeps the wheels of probation running smoothly.
Lost Work Identification in the Fire? Local 685 is Here to Help You Recover
Local 685 is committed to supporting our members affected by the current fires. We’ve gathered resources to assist with housing and other needs, which were shared in a previous newsletter. If you need that information again, please don't hesitate to reach out, and we’ll provide it to you promptly.
Several members have already contacted us about losing probation-related items, such as identification, uniforms, laptops, and badges, in the fire. If this applies to you, here’s what you need to do: first, obtain a police report stating that these items were lost. Once you have that, give us a call, and we’ll guide you through the recovery process.
In addition, we have funds available from both Local 685 and AFSCME International to assist our members during these challenging times. For help, please contact Cookie Lommel, our Membership Outreach Representative, at Clommel@AFSCME685.COM, or call her at 310-625-0363.
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