An interim sheriff was chosen Tuesday by Los Angeles County leaders to temporarily take the place of Sheriff Lee Baca, who announced his retirement amid a jail abuse scandal.
John Scott, the undersheriff in Orange County, has been named interim LA County Sheriff, officials announced.
Read: LA Co. Sheriff Baca to Step Down "On Own Terms"
Scott has 40 years of law enforcement experience, including as division chief of custody operations in LA. He will oversee the department of 10,000 personnel for up to eight months until voters pick their new sheriff.
"I'm very excited about this opportunity," he said. "I can assure you... I'm not going to be a placeholder."
LA County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich said in a statement that Scott brings strong leadership to the department.
“John Scott will be a superb interim sheriff to lead the department until voters elect a new sheriff," Antonovich said.
Local
Get Los Angeles's latest local news on crime, entertainment, weather, schools, COVID, cost of living and more. Here's your go-to source for today's LA news.
Read: 5 Deputies Charged in Federal Case Plead Not Guilty
Baca announced he will not run for a fifth term as the county's top cop amid a jail abuse scandal that has beleaguered the department.
