Christmas party brawl leads to 7 L.A. County deputies being relieved of duty pending probe

A Christmas party for employees from Men’s Central Jail turned ugly when a brawl broke out that resulted in seven Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies being relieved of duty pending an investigation, an official confirmed.

Roughly 100 guests were gathered Friday at the Quiet Cannon banquet hall in Montebello, where an argument led to violence, said sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore.

It’s unclear if alcohol was involved, but “it was a Christmas party, one could assume there was,” Whitmore said.

No gunshots were fired but deputies may have been armed, he said.

“Deputies that have their badges also have guns, so that will certainly be looked at,” he said.

At least two people were mildly to moderately injured, Whitmore said. Seven deputies were relieved of duty with pay this week, pending an internal criminal investigation.

“They’ve been asked to clean out their lockers,” Whitmore said.

Montebello police may have been called out, but no arrests have been made yet, Whitmore said. Relatives may have been at the Christmas party, but only deputies were involved in the brawl, Whitmore said.

“This investigation will go wherever the evidence leads,” he said.

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Comments

[Zapper]

Finally the truth is coming out! Crooks with Badges, calling everyone else criminals. The Evidence Stands on it own.

[Hater714]

those deputies acted like gangsters ,their new housing should be Men’s Central Jail

[oh no]

your only hearing a sliver of the unprofessionalism ,corruption, and misconduct that really goes on. Whos watching those who watch us?

[Brad]

Jets suspended Alosi for the season without pay. And all he did was trip someone.

[christopher]

Prison guard fights are routinely organized by inmates for their own amusement. This needs to stop before someone gets hurt.

[stu]

Jail sheriffs all pumped up on steroids.

[In the Know]

I love all the negative comments, just because of their profession. If none of the "victims" were desirous, there wouldn't be any charges anyway, just like "regular" people. Second, fights occur at lots of company parties, still nothing irregular. To demand their firing for a fight is simply stupid. Just a bunch of people wanting to make negative comments because they are cops. There is no "Blue Shield" as one put it, it was a simple fight, we go to those every single day and most people don't get arrested. Just negative comments to be negative!!

[Angeles]

You can thank Lee Baca for this dysfunctional agency that he runs, they're all dysfunctional. Just vote out Lee Baca (Sheriff) and Steve Cooley (DA) and maybe we can see some changes to come.

[cj]

this look bad for the good deputies.they should be relieved of duty with no pay.do it to them mr baca

[Joe]

I certainly hope being asked to "clean out their lockers" is not the end of this.

[HiVeloCT]

Interesting how many commenting here don't believe in due process, innocent until PROVEN guilty or any of the other rights all citizens are afforded under the Constitution (even cops). And most organizations, even private ones, have adminstrative policies that must be followed. If you work for one that prefers vigilante justice, you have my sympathies.

But just an FYI: in terms of their careers, I expect that the seven that were suspended can expect that theirs will be drastically impacted by this incident. And for those talking about a cover-up, you're reading about this in the LA Times! Not much of a cover-up, is it?

[HiVeloCT]

"Maybe we have the inmates on the wrong side of the bars? At least the sheriff's department is setting a good example of other members of the community to follow"
----------------------------------------------------------
Seven people are not exactly representative of the entire organization, considering that the department has around 15,000 employees

[yo]

Good thing there were no water nozzles present. Opps! Thats Long Beach

[este wey]

"Seven deputies were relieved of duty with pay this week, pending an internal criminal investigation."

AMAZING ....with pay...just..AMAZING

[Fed Up]

"....where an argument led to violence, said sheriff’s spokesman Steve Whitmore." This is how innocent people on the street get killed by simply holding a water hose pistol... no emotional restraint....Deputies just running scared that there going to get pummeled first.

[JC]

Nice Christmas present, a week off work WITH PAY!!

So it seems that the Sheriffs are just as bad as the guys they watch in jail!

[Guest]

Every cop is a criminal and all the sinners saints.
Product of their work environment.

[Anthony Woods]

Personally I'd just like to chalk this one up to "stuff" happens. Regardless of what profession they have. Things are going to get heated some times and people make mistakes. If it was an internal fight then it should be an internal punishment. I think the law that all of you are so quick to run to for help are fully capable of dealing with this at their level. Sometimes civilians don't always see the full story and are quick to cast stones.

[jleary]

The Men's Central Jail is a huge place.There are many civilian, as well as sworn employees working there.And just like any other work environment,you can rest assured that there is plenty of "drama" everyday of the week!

The drama came to a head at the party.That's it,and that's all.

[El zorro guapo]

Tha is our fine lawmen setting the fine sample, I guess they have too much you know what?

[proud Angelino]

What's the big deal! A small "off duty" fight amonst themselves and everyone has a cow. Give me a break.....I'm sure they will be cleared and back to work in no time. I wish them well.

[El zorro guapo]

Gee are those guys on charge of our safety?

[MojaveRob]

Unbelievable, when will they arrrest someone?

[BadBoyBill]

definitely a waste of tax payers money! these idiots fighting at the xmas party wearing badges and guns (probably on the clock)are wasting our money. get rid of them.

[Tim McGarry]

It was a fight over who gets a bigger cut on the jail contraband racket. Guaranteed.