LOS ANGELES, CA — Mike Bornman, 71, is vying to be elected as the Los Angeles County sheriff.
In the June 2 primary, incumbent Sheriff Robert Luna is facing seven challengers: Bornman, Eric Strong, Oscar Antonio Martinez, Brendan Corbett, André N. White, Alex Villanueva and Karla Carranza.
Learn more about Bornman's goals for Los Angeles County:
What is your educational background?
What is your professional background?
Have you ever held public office, whether appointive or elective?
No.
What are the top three public safety challenges the next sheriff of Los Angeles County will need to address?
1. Regaining of trust of the community and within our own department. When people lose trust in law enforcement, they hesitate contacting us when they need our help.
2. Doing a better job of keeping people safe in LA County. Our deputies are suffering under unreasonable overtime issues, failing equipment, staffing shortages, all of which make the job more difficult. We need to do better.
3. Homelessness, substance abuse, and mental health issues. This is a countywide issue, and not just limited to the LASD. It will take an "all hands on deck" response to finally get a grip on this problem. The LASD has become the largest de-facto emergency response unit in the county. We are not necessarily the best option for this responsibility. We need to be at the table, but we cannot just be the "cleanup crew."
How should the Sheriff’s Department handle use-of-force incidents, and what changes, if any, would you make to current policies or oversight?
The use of force policies currently in place with the LASD are appropriate for today's realities, but must always be reevaluated and improved as circumstances dictate. Ongoing, meaningful evaluation and change where necessary are a must. This is the only way to maintain the public's trust that we are as accountable and transparent as reasonably possible.
How should the Sheriff’s Department respond to calls involving mental health crises or homelessness, and what role should deputies play?
This is a difficult area, in that the courts have ruled that if we end up using force on someone during a mental health crisis, we are held civilly liable for any injuries, with our presence having "precipitated the event."
I prefer the use of civilian clinicians responding along with a sworn department member, both in civilian clothes, to attempt making contact.
As for homelessness, we all know that being homeless isn't a crime. Issues normally arise when someone suffers a mental health crisis or acts out while involved in illicit substance abuse. In the long run, all of these folks need evaluation and meaningful treatment. Everyone in government needs to come together and create a realistic plan for dealing with this issue with a long term and well thought out plan.
As noted before, the LASD needs to be at the table for these meetings, but our role is limited. Again, we have become the de-facto emergency responder for these issues. The current system is not ideal and needs greater evaluation.
What changes, if any, would you make to improve conditions and safety in county jails, including for both inmates and staff?
Men's Central Jail is antiquated and needs a date with a wrecking ball. It is an old lineal style jail that has outlived its usefulness. This can only be done AFTER a suitable housing location is introduced. You simply cannot release thousands of dangerous criminals into our streets.
I will propose the creation of a new, state of the art women's housing and treatment center, specifically built to the needs of our female inmate population. Once the women occupy that facility, we would transfer the male inmates out of MCJ and into the Century Regional Detention Facility. It was originally built to house medium- and high-security male inmates. Then the wrecking ball for MCJ.
In addition to this, I would consider increasing the number of custody assistants into the division, replacing the deputy sheriffs who are there now. CAs are specifically trained for the custody environment.
We also need to ensure that body cameras are worn by all staff.
We also need to expand the Custody Canine program, which incorporates trained dogs to search out illicit drugs and jail made alcohol.
Do you believe deputy gangs, cliques or other formal or informal groups are a problem within the Sheriff's Department today? If so, what additional steps are needed to address them?
I believe there is a well documented history of issues arising from department members who have crossed the line, which is absolutely unacceptable.
I know there is an ongoing debate on what to call this issue, be it gangs or cliques, or sub-groups, etc. Focusing on what name or label is missing the issue.
The true concern here is the behavior of our personnel. That is what I will focus my attention on. I also expect (demand) that my unit-level supervisors continually monitor their personnel to ensure that they act and perform professionally at all times.
It is human nature to bond together with others who are experiencing the same traumas like those found in both the military and law enforcement. It is healthy to form meaningful bonds in these high stress environments.
If/when someone associated with these groups steps out of line and violates department policy or the law, they will be dealt with. I will not, however, attempt to paint everyone associated with them with the same broad brush.
The vast majority of our personnel perform their duties with honor and professionalism. Those who cannot do so will not be allowed to continue as peace officers, as they will have abandoned their oath. This all comes down to leadership and consistent, meaningful oversight. I will ensure that all of our leadership team, from training officers, sergeants, lieutenants, captains and above know, understand, and adhere to my direction in this regard.
Why are you a better choice than your opponents?
Over the course of my 36-year career, I have gained unique insight into every aspect of law enforcement leadership. No other candidate, be it the current sheriff, former sheriff, or others, have the length, breadth, or depth of experiences I have.
Having worked six different patrol assignments across the county, seven different custody assignments, five years at the Internal Affairs Bureau, having worked hundreds of criminal and administrative investigations, creating programs throughout the department, overseeing the creation of two new bureaus, working a federal task force, Executive offices, routinely interacting with multiple department executives, including two different sheriffs, with budget oversight, detective leadership, training, scheduling expertise, multiple years of working difficult and demanding assignments, coupled with my training and education, I am uniquely qualified to step into the roll of sheriff on the first day.
We can no longer keep relying on those who come into office, lacking the basic understanding of the LASD. Trying to learn the job on the fly has proven to be a huge disservice to not only the department, but to those who we have sworn to protect. I offer strong, calm, professionalism, with the experience and integrity to move the department forward. I have always striven to do the right thing, even when it hurt. I stand ready to serve.
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