Abuse Reported At San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Training Facility

SAN BERNARDINO, CA — Several members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department have been placed on administrative leave amid allegations that they physically assaulted a trainee at a regional academy, authorities announced last week.

The department and the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office launched a joint criminal investigation Friday into the alleged assault, which occurred at the Frank Bland Regional Training Center in San Bernardino.

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The investigation follows complaints forwarded Thursday to the sheriff's department by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. According to officials, the complaints allege that training staff assaulted an academy trainee during an exercise.

Officials did not specify how many staff members were involved or release the identities of the trainee or the instructors.

In addition to the criminal inquiry, the sheriff's department's Professional Standards Division is conducting an internal administrative investigation to review whether department policies were violated.

The personnel involved will remain on administrative leave pending the outcome of the inquiry, the department said, adding that it remains committed to maintaining a safe training environment.