Ahead of the June primary election, the Southern California News Group compiled a list of questions to pose to the candidates who wish to represent you. You can find the full questionnaire below. Questionnaires may have been edited for spelling, grammar, length and, in some instances, to remove hate speech and offensive language.
Name: Brendan Corbett
Current job title: Retired Assistant Sheriff
Age: 66
Incumbent: No
Other political positions held: None
City where you reside: Diamond Bar
Campaign website or social media: Corbettforsheriff.com
What specific actions will you take to eliminate deputy gangs within the department and increase accountability for misconduct? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
The problem with this question is the assumption that deputy gangs exist. This is concerning because that sentiment and ongoing rhetoric vilifies deputies to the public and subjects the department and county to increased liability, when not one case has been brought forward and proven. But the constant unsupported accusations continue to erode public trust, and it affects the working environment for deputies, which is already dangerous and difficult. Now they are being accused of being gang members when they are merely trying to do their jobs and serve their communities.
Undoubtedly, deputy cliques existed, and I believe that enough warranted attention has been brought forward, which resulted in state law and policies preventing the behavior. However, I will make it a requirement for every unit commander to personally conduct recurrent briefings to emphasize the importance of avoiding participating in any activity that could lead to public distrust. I will also work to regain the public trust through ongoing dialogue and forming community advisory councils to have a direct connection in the communities we serve.
Any founded violations of either department policy and/or state law regarding deputy gang behavior will be addressed, and I will work with the Office of Inspector General and the Civilian Oversight Commission to ensure transparency and public trust in the process.
How do you plan to rebuild public trust in the sheriff’s department after recent controversies and leadership challenges? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
My main focus is public safety. I will evaluate the entire department to ensure every available sworn member is available to work front-line positions, and be present in patrolling our communities, ensuring proper staffing in the jails, community colleges and in the courts. I also have a plan to address crime and homelessness and restore quality of life issues for residents and business owners.
And as I mentioned in the previous question, I will create community advisory councils from vetted members of the communities we serve. I will include all denominations of faith-based advisory councils to represent the vast and diverse denominations in our communities. Unlike the current Sheriff, I will maintain a constant presence in our communities and hold town hall meetings, both in person and virtually, to maintain a consistent dialogue.
My pledge is to remain laser-focused on community safety. My actions will speak louder than words in regaining the public trust and supporting our personnel.
What is your strategy for addressing the ongoing safety issues and overcrowding in LA County jails? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I was the assistant Sheriff overseeing the jails. I have a unique perspective and am the only candidate with the institutional knowledge to address these concerns. We were on a path to construct a state-of-the-art Mental Health Treatment Center to replace Men’s Central Jail, but the project was cancelled by the Board of Supervisors in 2018. They wanted to close MCJ and not replace it with a care-first, jails-last program. It has traditionally been an either/or philosophy toward closing MCJ. Either a new jail built, or the care-first jails-last programs. I will work with the BOS on an approach. We will need to build a state-of-the-art mental health facility and build up the community programs. My plan to dramatically change the release and reentry programs will be the linchpin to making the programs much more effective and reducing homelessness and people returning to the cycle of homelessness and substance abuse, while assisting those with mental illness to receive the support they need.
However, a lesser-known concern is the aging out of the entire jail infrastructure. Aside from MCJ, the remaining facilities in the LA County Jail system are reaching the end of their service life as well. The newest facility (CRDF) is the women’s Jail in Lynwood and was constructed and opened in 1994. Most jail facilities have a service life of 25-30 years due to the high utilization and constant occupancy 24/7. Attention needs to be addressed now on replacing MCJ and investing in the jail system for the future and ensuring the persons in our care and personnel working in these facilities remain safe.
What specific, proactive roles will the department play in addressing homelessness in the county? (Please answer in 200 words or less.)
I have an unprecedented approach to addressing homelessness. As I mentioned previously, I have the unique advantage of understanding the complexities of the jail and court system, and my plan to address homelessness starts there.
When an individual enters the jail system and is diagnosed as mentally ill, is suffering from substance abuse (or both), or is homeless, I will provide an in-custody case manager to be assigned to track their treatment and begin coordinating with the courts and the proper entities to ensure a warm hand-off to a community case worker is coordinated on their release. I will create a coalition of justice partners and community organizations to provide the persons leaving our custody and care with the support needed to ensure a smooth transition back into the communities. I will also create a communication network to include all the coalition members and the concerned law enforcement agencies. This network will include the contact information for the community case manager for real-time communication. This will allow local law enforcement and the case manager to coordinate resources if the person appears to be returning to homelessness and/or drug use. Resources and support can be provided to prevent the possible return to the cycle of homelessness and substance abuse, before they resort to criminal behavior. This will have a direct and immediate effect on the quality-of-life concerns for our residents and businesses.
How will you work effectively with the Board of Supervisors to ensure proper funding and oversight of the department? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
I had a good working relationship with the Board of Supervisors and their offices when I was the assistant Sheriff. I will continue to work with the board respectfully and professionally, while ensuring I put the needs of LASD personnel and the communities we serve first. An example of working together would be my approach to closing Men’s Central Jail. I would work with them to embrace an “AND” philosophy. We absolutely need to close and replace MCJ, and support the BOS care-first, jails-last agenda of building up community programs.
As I indicated, investment into the aging jail system needs to begin now, and it would be my responsibility to educate the BOS on the why and how. Additionally, I will support both LASD sworn and professional staff in receiving a contract commensurate with other agencies to attract recruits while stopping the exodus which has resulted in a 24% vacancy rate in both sworn and professional staff positions.
What is your approach to reducing violent crime while ensuring fair and equitable policing in diverse communities? (Please limit your answer to 200 words or less.)
My first action in reducing violent crime is to put more deputies back into the communities we serve. But equally important will be my “community investment plan.” I will advocate funding initiatives that address root causes of crime, such as poverty, education and employment opportunities. I will increase collaboration with mental health professionals to respond to incidents involving persons suffering a mental health crisis, reducing the need for police intervention and hopefully preventing a serious crime from occurring. I will also implement community feedback mechanisms, including regular community surveys and anonymous reporting tools, and use the feedback and data for informed policy changes. Coupled with my community advisory councils and my enhanced reentry plan, I believe this will provide an accurate perspective from the communities we serve and work together with our communities to reduce violent crime.