PPOA President Brian Moriguchi joined KPCC public radio as part of a roundtable discussion in reaction to a controversial apology for police racial abuse issued by the head of the International Police Chiefs Association.
Fallen Sheriff’s Sergeant Steve Owen represented the best among us
On October 5, 2016, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department suffered a monumental loss. Sergeant Steven Owen, a 29-year department veteran, was responding to a residential burglary call in Lancaster when he was shot in the face by a suspect on active parole. Despite being rushed to the hospital by fellow deputies, Owen succumbed to his wounds. The murder suspect was later arrested after jumping into Owen’s patrol vehicle, ramming a deputy’s vehicle, and breaking into a home where he barricaded himself with two teenage hostages.
“Sergeant Steve Owen was an outstanding cop,” states PPOA President Brian Moriguchi. “He loved helping others and made the Antelope Valley a better place to live. Steve risked his life every day to make the community safer and we are saddened by this senseless murder of a fine public servant.”
Sergeant Owen was a hero in every sense of the word. In 2014, Sergeant Owen was awarded a meritorious conduct medal for his role in safely rescuing a hostage and arresting an armed kidnapping suspect who was holding a gun to the victim’s chest and head. The fact that this occurred without a single shot being fired speaks volumes about Owen’s police skills and ability to react quickly in the face of danger. His actions that evening were described by the sheriff’s department as “courageous and nothing short of heroic.”
Sergeant Owen has been a PPOA member since promoting to sergeant in 2011. The 53-year old is survived by his wife Tania (an LASD arson/explosives detective), his two sons Brandon and Chad, and his daughter, Shannon. Owen’s mother, wife and sons made it to the hospital and were all at his side when he died.
Sergeant Owen stood tall and defended the public, even to the end. We will never forget his courage. We will never forget the fact that he devoted himself to others for three decades. And we will always remember his sacrifice.
Former PPOA Member Among Fallen Dallas Officers
By Brian Moriguchi, PPOA President: On July 7th, America witnessed the worst in humanity as five police officers were assassinated at a Black Lives Matter anti-police rally in Dallas, Texas. It is believed to be the deadliest attack on U.S. law enforcement since September 11, 2001. The tragedy of the situation hits close to home for LA County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) employees, as one of the officers killed in the attack was a former LASD law enforcement technician. Lorne Ahrens was a member of this association (PPOA) and served the sheriff’s department for 11 years before transferring to Dallas PD in 2002, where he worked his way up to Senior Corporal. He is survived by his wife (also a Dallas PD officer), a 10-year old son and an 8-year old daughter.
Shortly before this unspeakable assault by a sniper in hiding, President Obama held a press conference to address the recent fatal shootings of Alton Sterling in Louisiana and Philando Castile in Minnesota. The President quoted statistics about how minorities, in particular blacks and Hispanics, are stopped more often by police, removed from their cars more often by police and arrested more often by police, implying racial disparity by police officers. What the President didn’t say is that these statistics are true regardless of the race of the officers. Police officers of all racial backgrounds simply enforce the laws to keep the communities they serve safe. The data reflects a much larger societal issue of racial disparities and socio-economic issues that plague primarily minority communities. We ask that President Obama and other leaders choose their words carefully so as not to provoke violence against police officers.
Police officers who do wrong need to be held accountable. We support and encourage the prosecution of bad cops. It stains our profession and we are the first to stand up against bad cops. But the vast majority of police officers are honest, brave men and women who simply want to serve their communities and protect the innocent from those who prey on them. It is a difficult job but a noble one.
Our hearts go out the brave officers in Dallas who faced evil while protecting others, including those protesting against law enforcement. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen officers and all the men and women who serve the public doing a job that few can do.
Lieutenant Exam: JST Presentation
Statement Re: Tanaka Conviction
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.
Tax Info: Total Dues Paid 2015
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