Safety Policy Will Prohibit Alcohol Consumption By an L.A. Sheriff Carrying a Firearm

L.A. Sheriff carrying a firearm (Photo – LASD)

At their meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion, authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Chair Lindsey P. Horvath, to move forward with recommendations and restrictions on alcohol consumption in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s (LASD) “Firearm Safety” policy.

By News Desk

Tuesday’s motion requests LASD to revise the existing policy and include a strict prohibition against deputies carrying a firearm while consuming alcohol, on or off duty. 

Recently, news reports highlighted an incident involving an LASD deputy drinking, flashing a handgun, and shouting obscenities, including homophobic slurs, in a dispute with teenagers outside of a bowling alley.

“The mixing of alcohol and guns never ends in a good time, rather, it increases the risk of injuries and death,” said Supervisor Hilda Solis.

“In Los Angeles County, our number one priority is keeping our communities safe. If a Sheriff’s Deputy is on duty with a firearm, their blood alcohol content should be zero—with no exceptions,” said Chair Lindsey Horvath.

Following their 2019 assessment, the Los Angeles County Office of the Inspector General OIG outlined three areas of concern with the current LASD policy:

1. 1. The .08 blood alcohol content (BAC) standard is too low and inconsistent with the .02 BAC limits set by LASD for being under the influence of alcohol when on duty and for operating a County vehicle.
   2. Setting the .08 BAC threshold as a rebuttable presumption that LASD deputies did not exercise reasonable care, rather than a clear limit, may result in increased danger to counterparts and members of the public. Under this rebuttable presumption, LASD may deem a deputy too impaired to legally operate a County vehicle but able to exercise reasonable care in the control of a firearm.
   3. LASD’s “Off-Deputy Incidents” policy states that deputies, although technically off-duty, shall take action as deemed appropriate on any police matter coming to their attention. Yet, imposing duties on deputies while off duty may make them more likely to carry a firearm, even when consuming alcohol ⎯ making the use of the firearms dangerous.

“I am surprised that the LASD Firearm Safety Policy is filled with loopholes, weaknesses, and the inclusion of a rebuttal presumption language that enforces a dangerous culture and behavior,” added Supervisor Solis. 

Edited by Ann Hunnewell