Luna Endorsed by LA Times for Sheriff

Retired Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna during the Los Angeles County sheriff candidates’ debate on Sept. 21. From the Los Angeles Times.

Reasons why the Los Angeles Times endorsed Long Beach Police chief Robert Luna over incumbent Alex Villanueva:

·      Two-thirds of the voters of Los Angeles County rejected Villanueva in the June 7 primary. Luna received more votes than any other challenger in the primary.

·      The LA Times reports that Luna won praise for his leadership of the Long Beach Police Department in his seven years as chief after having spent his entire career in the department. He supported civilian oversight. He worked with elected leaders for the benefit of the city.

·      The LA Times endorsement also said Luna “is a professional of sound judgment, deep experience, and respect for the law.”

·      Regarding Villanueva, the Civilian Oversight Commission called for his resignation.

·      The LA Times reports that “Villanueva hurled an ethnic slur against a county supervisor, baselessly called the inspector general a Holocaust denier, defended deputies who improperly arrested a reporter (and repeated demonstrably false statements about the incident), and accused virtually everyone who has questioned or criticized him of being part of the left-wing out to get him.”

·      Villanueva used his social media posts to attack his critics and perceived adversaries.

·      Villanueva fired his budget staff so he could manage the finances, and he fired those who advised the department on policies and conduct.

·      Villanueva criticized rules for reporting minor uses of force. He called for the return of metal flashlights for deputies to use as weapons against jail inmates. He called for an end to rules limiting force against inmates.

·      “Luna comes from outside a department that has become even more troubled and diminished because of Villanueva. If the pieces can be put back together, Luna has the best chance of doing it,” from the LA Times endorsement of Luna for County Sheriff.

Compiled by Debra Shrout