Investigators slam Sheriff Baca, Tanaka in jail violence probe – latimes.com

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/09/panel-investigators-slam-baca-tanaka-in-jail-violence-probe.html

\Updated at 11:02 a.m.: While investigators found that the majority of deputies were hard-working and ethical, they concluded that other deputies had a “disturbing mind-set” that valued using force first rather than as a last resort. In addition, some department leaders tolerated and even expressly encouraged \a code of silence\ in which jailers were reluctant to report excessive force and other problems.
Last month, a federal grand jury demanded that sheriff’s officials turn over all correspondence they have had with the blue-ribbon commission.

The subpoena suggests that federal authorities, in the midst of a widespread investigation of the jails, are expanding their probe to include allegations unearthed by the commission.

In recent months, the county panel has heard testimony from current and former sheriff’s supervisors who have publicly alleged that top managers fostered a culture of abuse inside the jails.

But many more sheriff’s employees have spoken to the commission privately. The subpoena could inadvertently force those sheriff’s officials to out themselves to the department as informants.\