LAPD commissioner steps down citing threats against herself and family

This story first appeared on The LA Local.

Los Angeles Police Commissioner Teresa Sánchez-Gordon is leaving the city’s police oversight body after saying she and her family received threats, she told The LA Local. This comes weeks after she stepped down as the commission’s president. 

At Tuesday’s meeting, a member of The LA Local’s Documenters program heard Sánchez-Gordon saying today was her last day to several police department employees. When asked for more information, she said she had experienced several incidents in which she and her family had been threatened but declined to specify the nature of the threats or who was responsible.

“I have to focus on my girls and their security and my security – it’s been very difficult,” Sánchez-Gordon told The LA Local. “I’m going to miss the commission. It’s very important work that we do.”

She declined to comment on her work during her time on the commission or whether any specific policy positions factored into the threats.

Mayor Karen Bass told The LA Local in a statement it was “appalling” that Sánchez-Gordon felt compelled to step down over safety concerns and thanked her for her service to the city. She said she was in contact with the commissioner and has asked the LAPD to further investigate the matter.

Sánchez-Gordon’s departure marks another surprise move during her nearly two-year tenure on the board, which is tasked with setting policy and providing oversight of the city’s police department. In April, she did not cite a reason when she stepped down as the commission’s president, while remaining on the board, after being in the leadership role for only a few months.

Sánchez-Gordon served during a turbulent period in the department’s history. Last year, first responders were challenged by the city’s devastating fires. More recently, the department has faced scrutiny over its role amid federal immigration enforcement actions and protests against them. 

In recent months, Sánchez-Gordon was among the commission’s most outspoken members during discussions about immigration enforcement policies and the department’s practices. 

At Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners heard presentations from immigrant rights advocates and police officials on how the department should respond to federal immigration enforcement. Sánchez-Gordon emphasized the importance of allowing immigrant advocacy groups to directly communicate their concerns to the commission.

During her final meeting, she also supported a recent City Council vote to ban pretextual stops by police.

LAPD did not respond to questions about if the threats were being investigated or if any arrests have been made.

The Police Commission’s spokesperson, Sarah Bell, also declined to provide details about the threats or if there are any outstanding safety concerns for the other commissioners. When asked how long Sánchez-Gordon had been planning to step down, Bell responded: “I have no idea.”

Mayor Karen Bass said no public servant should feel unsafe while doing their job, adding that while policy disagreements are part of democracy, “people’s homes and families are off limits.”

The mayor’s office typically has 45 days to appoint a replacement.

LA Documenter Martin Romero contributed reporting for this story. LA Documenters trains and pays LA residents to take notes at local government meetings around Los Angeles. You can find meeting notes and audio at losangeles.documenters.org