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Supervisors push probation to finalize CCTV review policy after Los Padrinos footage surfaced
Summary
Board directed the Probation Department to send a closed‑circuit television (CCTV) review protocol to the California Department of Justice within 30 days and provide a plan for implementation and staff training after DOJ approval.
Los Angeles County supervisors on Tuesday directed the Probation Department to finalize and submit a CCTV review protocol to the California Department of Justice and to return with an implementation and training timeline.
The motion, carried 5–0, was introduced by Supervisor Janice Hahn and coauthored by Supervisor Lindsey Horvath after supervisors described incidents at juvenile detention facilities in which serious assaults were later captured on camera but went unreviewed for weeks.
"CCTV cameras are one of the tools that we have to protect both our youth and staff in our juvenile facilities," Supervisor Janice Hahn said, arguing that cameras must be routinely monitored and that clear review and reporting protocols are needed. Hahn said the department had been directed by the California Department of Justice to provide a protocol as part of a stipulated judgment but that the protocol had not been finalized and implemented.
Supervisor Horvath urged "random audits, thorough documentation and clear protocols" and said 24/7 coverage and audit mechanisms were essential for trust and accountability. Supervisor Hilda Solis cited Office of Inspector General findings showing differences between incident reports and what CCTV footage captured, and she said continuous coverage is important to eliminate blind spots.
The motion asks the Probation Department to report back in 30 days with the CCTV policy being submitted to the California Department of Justice, to include a plan and timeline for implementation and staff training once the DOJ approves the policy, and to identify measures such as random audits, documentation standards and 24/7 coverage where appropriate.
Supporters of the motion said CCTV review protocols can verify or disprove allegations, deter abuses, and provide material for leadership, investigations and staff training. Supervisors noted the importance of rapidly finalizing the policy while the department continues to implement its court‑approved depopulation plan for youth facilities.
The board approved the motion by roll call. No immediate budget appropriation was specified; implementation steps were assigned to the Probation Department.
