Baca did the right thing

Sheriff Lee Baca made the best decision for his department and for Los Angeles County when he announced yesterday that he plans to retire from his position at the end of the month.

Baca’s situation at the helm of the Sheriff’s Department was untenable, just like his candidacy for a fifth term, given a series of scandals caused by awful management, particularly in the county jail.

Irregularities in the department happened all the way from the hiring of staff—which was inadequate for policing—up to deputies who repeatedly abused and mistreated inmates and their visitors.

Baca’s lack of action after repeated reports that deputies were involved in violent behavior created a culture of impunity, to the point of disrespecting diplomatic staff and aggressively interfering with a federal investigation. The latter was the same inquiry that finally led to 18 Sheriff’s deputies being formally charged.

This is a sad end for Baca, who during his lengthy time in office stood out because of his personal sensitivity in his relationships with minority communities and actively supported sensible proposals to prevent crime.

However, Baca failed in his main mission of leading a disciplined police force. Now he leaves behind an agency battered by lawsuits and federal investigations because of deputies’ inappropriate behavior toward civilians, who deserve humane treatment and respect, whether they are in jail or outside it.

Therefore, his decision to retire is a big favor to the department, which will let it begin to close this dark chapter in its history. This way, Baca facilitates a more adequate environment to elect a new sheriff this year.

Within the circumstances of his departure, this is the best favor Baca can do for an institution to which he dedicated almost 50 years of his life.