California’s Probation Department Seeks Emergency Assistance Amid Staffing Crisis

The California Probation Department, responsible for overseeing thousands of individuals on probation in Los Angeles County, is urgently requesting local law enforcement assistance. Chief Guillermo Viera Rosa highlighted a critical gap in supervision for high-risk probationers, owing to ongoing staffing shortages.

In a mutual aid request directed toward the Office of Emergency Services, Chief Rosa asked Governor Newsom to allow the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and local police agencies to perform compliance checks on probationers over the next year.

This plea for support arose following the reassignment of field officers to Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall, necessitated by a lack of personnel at the facility.

In his memo, Rosa stated that this reallocation has resulted in inadequate supervision of probationers, potentially jeopardizing public safety. He stressed the need for mutual aid from various law enforcement agencies to ensure community safety during this staffing crisis.

According to Rosa, this situation has fostered an unsafe atmosphere not only for juveniles but also for probation staff, educators, health professionals, and community organizations. By redirecting field officers to juvenile facilities, the department now faces a significant void in monitoring high-risk individuals who have committed serious crimes, including sexual assault and gang-related offenses.

An OES spokesperson confirmed that the state’s role revolves around facilitating discussions among local agencies. The spokesperson clarified that unless specifically requested, the state has limited authority to provide mutual assistance in such scenarios.

Amy Palmer from OES commented on Rosa’s request, underlining the limitations imposed on state intervention.

Under the proposed plan, the Probation Department is seeking 150 peace officers to supervise both adult and juvenile probationers for one year. The department intends to designate an armed liaison from Special Enforcement Operations to aid in compliance checks through regular or targeted engagements.

This partnership will delineate responsibilities, with probation officers gathering and sharing data, while police officers handle compliance checks and arrests. As an incentive, the department has proposed reimbursement to participating law enforcement agencies equivalent to two hours of work for each completed compliance check, in addition to the actual time spent on compliance activities.

For instance, if a police department completes a check in 22 minutes, they will receive compensation for two hours and 22 minutes.

In the coming weeks, meetings between the Probation Department and county officials are anticipated. Spokesperson Vicky Waters expressed hope for constructive dialogue and collaboration with law enforcement partners, emphasizing the department’s responsibility for supervising approximately 24,000 individuals within the community.

Waters clarified that these requests do not imply a handover of operations, but rather an appeal for supervision support while staffing levels in the juvenile facilities stabilize to meet state standards.

Challenges in securing local law enforcement support appeared evident. Eduardo Mundo, chair of the county Probation Oversight Commission, expressed skepticism regarding the willingness of the Sheriff’s Department and local police agencies to engage in this request.

Mundo articulated concerns about the existing dysfunction within law enforcement agencies and the strained dynamics when trying to coordinate additional responsibilities.

The existing staffing challenges stem from a need for probation officers at juvenile facilities, particularly at Los Padrinos. Since its hurried reopening in 2023, the facility has been troubled by management issues and operational inefficiencies.

In October, the state Board of State and Community Corrections mandated the facility correct its staffing problems or face closure, deeming it unsuitable for housing juveniles. Despite this order, the facility remains operational, raising critical legal and ethical concerns.

In response to increasing violence and operational issues, more than a dozen top officials in the Probation Department were dismissed in 2024. Additionally, 66 sworn probation officers were placed on leave due to various allegations, including youth-on-youth violence linked to the ongoing issues at Los Padrinos.

Rising allegations of general misconduct have plagued the department, leading to public scrutiny. Reports indicate that serious offenses, including excessive force and neglecting vulnerable youth, have become commonplace.

The Los Angeles County Deputy Probation Officers’ Union recently criticized the mutual aid proposal, arguing that it makes little sense to redirect field officers into juvenile halls while simultaneously seeking external assistance for core responsibilities they once managed effectively.

Concerns about the department’s ability to supervise individuals under probation have reached critical levels. A 2023 report from the Los Angeles County Office of Inspector General exposed alarming findings. One case revealed that Justin Flores, a former gang member who ultimately killed two police officers, was given minimal attention from his probation officer during a 16-month period.

The report indicated that Flores only met with his assigned probation officer once in December 2021, suggesting a troubling pattern of neglect. Despite warnings from a family member about his dangerous behavior, the department failed to act accordingly.

Mundo emphasized that undercurrent issues in staffing have led to lackadaisical supervision of even the most dangerous offenders, particularly sexual offenses. He lamented that the state of the department has devolved to unprecedented lows, risking public safety.

This predicament illustrates a troubling narrative surrounding California’s probation management amid broader discussions on public safety, law enforcement effectiveness, and community relations.

As the Los Angeles County Probation Department navigates these chaotic waters, stakeholders from various sides remain engaged in conversations to forge a path forward. The outcomes of these discussions may determine the future approach to probation supervision, accountability, and community safety in California.