Amid the swirl of allegations his deputies have used excessive force, Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca promoted three captains to commanders to help oversee activities at the jail.
Baca also followed up on his promise to obtain more input from inmates by holding his second Town Hall meeting Saturday at the jail.
The meeting, which lasted two and a half hours, touched on a number of topics, Baca said.
The Sheriff talked to the media about the allegations his deputies have used excessive force on inmates and specifically about the death of 18-year-old George Rosales. Rosales was punched in the face by a deputy during an alleged escape attempt at the Twin Towers Jail in Downtown LA and was found unresponsive in his cell a few days later.
“I understand there was use of force activity about three days earlier,” said Baca “We don't know if that's a causal factor. If it is, we'll know."
Baca said the incident is under investigation and they are waiting for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
“I don’t want violence to be a tool of security and it should be a last, last resort,” said Baca. “It should be a planned activity by inmates to deputies or by deputies to inmates.”
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Also on hand for the Town Hall meeting at the jail were a number of clergy from area churches.
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