Truth Matters: Local 685 & Teamsters 986 Call for Due Process, Accountability & Justice

Sisters and Brothers,

For years, many of us have lived with the pain of seeing our profession publicly vilified and our co-workers – both active and retired – unfairly painted with a broad brush. We have watched friends and colleagues endure accusations they were never given the opportunity to confront, while their names, reputations, and decades of honorable service were called into question.

After multiple news reports and ongoing action by our unions regarding these questionable claims, District Attorney Nathan Hochman informed the court that he believes as many as four out of every five claims may be fraudulent and has requested a halt to payments while his office conducts a criminal investigation. Click here to read Los Angeles Times article.

Let us be clear: legitimate survivors deserve justice, and anyone who committed abuse should be held fully accountable. But justice requires facts. It requires transparency. And it requires due process.

These revelations are deeply personal for our memberships.

We have seen the names and reputations of our co-workers tarnished by broad allegations. Some dedicated officers have spent years away from their careers while investigations unfolded. Families suffered. Retirements clouded. Men and women who devoted their lives to helping young people were forced to live under a cloud of suspicion without ever being afforded the opportunity to defend themselves.

The damage extended beyond those individuals. The removal of experienced staff further worsened already critical shortages inside our juvenile halls and camps. Those who remained behind carried the burden. Mandatory overtime increased. Programming suffered. Treatment and rehabilitative services were disrupted. Dangerous conditions became even more dangerous. Ultimately, the youth entrusted to our care paid a price as well.

For all of us, this has been incredibly painful.

In response to these developments, we have sent a formal letter to Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, members of the California Legislature, District Attorney Nathan Hochman, the California State Auditor, and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. We have called for reforms that will protect survivors, preserve public confidence, and ensure that due process and fairness are not sacrificed. Click here to read letter.

We have also issued a call to action to our allies throughout organized labor, including the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFSCME District Council 36, the Coalition of County Unions, and SEIU Local 721. We are urging the broader House of Labor to stand with us and demand accountability from the County. Billions of taxpayer dollars have been spent without meaningful scrutiny, and employees across County government have repeatedly been told that these expenditures have left little room for wage improvements or investments in the workforce.

An injury to one is an injury to all.

This issue is bigger than probation. It is about truth. It is about fairness. It is about ensuring that legitimate victims receive justice while innocent people are not condemned without due process.

Survivors deserve justice. Taxpayers deserve accountability. Public employees deserve due process. These principles are not mutually exclusive.

We encourage every member to read the attached Los Angeles Times article. We know firsthand the pain this issue has caused our profession and our co-workers. Our unions will continue to fight for truth, fairness, and the dignity of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to serving the people of Los Angeles County.

In solidarity,

Curtis Chambers, President, AFSCME Local 685

Reggie Torres, President, SDPOs – Teamsters Local 986