Justice Department opens civil rights probe into L.A. County Sheriff's Department

Los Angeles Times | September 6, 2013 | 7:24 PM

Federal authorities have opened a civil rights investigation into whether Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies engaged in a pattern of abuse of inmates, according to a letter sent to county officials this week.
Department of Justice officials said the "pattern or practice" investigation would be "conducted entirely separately" from the FBI's ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of excessive force and other misconduct inside the nation's largest jail system.
In a letter dated Sept. 5, officials said federal authorities had "become increasingly concerned about use of force and alleged abuse by jail deputies and staff."
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