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Does the First Amendment protect sheriff's deputy cliques and tattoos from scrutiny?
LA Sheriff Jim McDonnell addressing recruits at the Biscailuz Training Academy in Los Angeles, Calif. on Thursday, May 3, 2018.
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Susanica Tam/For KPCC
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Does the First Amendment protect sheriff's deputy cliques and tattoos from scrutiny?
On Tuesday the L.A. Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission takes up the issue of secretive and sometimes violent deputy cliques inside the department – and the tattoos that identify the cliques' members. One of the commissioners -- a Loyola Law school professor - is challenging the county's long-held legal position that deputy cliques and tattoos are protected under the First Amendment.
On Tuesday the L.A. Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission takes up the issue of secretive and sometimes violent deputy cliques inside the department – and the tattoos that identify the cliques' members. One of the commissioners -- a Loyola Law school professor - is challenging the county's long-held legal position that deputy cliques and tattoos are protected under the First Amendment. KPCC's Frank Stoltze goes in-depth on the issue.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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