• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers AssociationLos Angeles County Professional Peace Officers AssociationLos Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association

  • Uniform ShopMember Discounts
  • Star & Shield FoundationDonate/Request
  • Get Help NowContact a PPOA Rep
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • PPOA Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • PPOA Insurance Agency
    • Annual Reports
    • Delegates
  • News & Events
    • Public Safety News
    • Week in Review
    • PPOA Members in the News
    • Calendar
      • Calendar & Benefits
      • Heroes Ride
      • Golf Tournament
    • Photo Galleries
    • Video Gallery
    • Star & Shield
      • Star & Shield Magazine
      • Issue Archive
      • Hidden Word Contest Entry Form
      • Advertise
  • Benefits
    • List of Benefits
    • Legal Counsel
    • 18th Annual PPOA Retiree Luncheon
  • Contact Us
  • Members
    • PPOA Member News
    • Member Events
    • Contracts
    • Tickets & Discounts
    • Legislative Advocacy
    • Political Action Committee (PAC Plus)
    • Resources
    • Forms
    • Retirees
    • Bylaws
    • Scholarships
  • Join Now
    • Application for Full Membership
  • Uniform Shop
  • Donate
  • Get Help Now
Search

Statement Re: Tanaka Conviction

April 6, 2016

This morning, a federal jury convicted former Undersheriff Paul Tanaka on conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges. The jury needed less than two hours to determine that Tanaka was guilty on both counts. Sentencing is scheduled for June 20 and he now faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

For many years, PPOA has battled against Tanaka and the corrupt culture in the Sheriff’s Department. “Paul Tanaka destroyed many careers and demanded loyalty and obedience to him.” states PPOA President Brian Moriguchi. “If you defied him, you paid a hefty price. If you obeyed him, you were rewarded. That is no way to run the largest Sheriff’s Department in the world.”

PPOA was not alone in our assessment of Tanaka. Both current and retired Sheriff’s officials have publicly accused him of fostering a corrosive culture in which deputies were permitted to beat and humiliate inmates, cover up misconduct and form aggressive deputy cliques. The federal charges against Tanaka were just a microcosm of a decade of abusive leadership and abuse of power. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Fox described Tanaka as a “man who overruled and undermined the people who sought to reform the Sheriff’s Department.”

Seven other Sheriff’s Department employees have also been found guilty of obstruction in the same federal probe. PPOA contended that the responsible parties had not been held accountable and only those who carried out orders were punished. That changed today with the conviction of Paul Tanaka.

This conviction is a monumental step toward restoring the department’s dignity, morale and pride that withered under the leadership of Lee Baca and Paul Tanaka. It also illustrates the stark difference between leaders who inspire respect and those who inspire fear. Sheriff Jim McDonnell released a statement following today’s conviction in which he stated that the department is committed to providing the “highest quality of service with integrity, respect and accountability.” It is important to note that the vast majority of members of the Sheriff’s Department have always performed their duties with integrity, respect and accountability. We must ensure that dysfunctional leadership is never able to go unchecked and we must all stand up against corruption, regardless of rank.

Primary Sidebar

Public Safety News

PPOA Joins Campaign to Recall DA George Gascón

PPOA Joins Campaign to Recall DA George Gascón

At this week’s Board meeting (3/9/22), the PPOA Board of Directors committed… Read More

Inmate Pleads No Contest in Attack on Custody Assistant

Inmate Pleads No Contest in Attack on Custody Assistant

MyNewsLA.com  3/1/22 A jail inmate who was charged last year with punching a… Read More

New Court Proceedings Ordered for Man Convicted of Killing Off-Duty LASD Deputy

New Court Proceedings Ordered for Man Convicted of Killing Off-Duty LASD Deputy

Long Beach Press Telegram  1/28/2022 https://www.presstelegram.com/2022/01/28/new-court-proceedings-ordered-for-man-convicted-of-off-duty-deputys-murder-in-long-beach/… Read More

Copyright © 2022 Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association. All Rights Reserved. | Website designed by 911MEDIA