Deputies who work at the L.A. County Jail were allegedly involved in the fight. (KTLA.COM) |
LOS ANGELES ( KTLA) -- County Sheriff's investigators have begun the process of firing 6 Men's Central Jail employees involved in a fight at a work Christmas party.
The decision comes as a result of an internal probe that was launched shortly after the Dec. 10, 2010 brawl at a Montebello banquet hall.
Officials said the firing could be one of the largest disciplinary actions in the departmentÂ’s history.
More than 150 interviews were conducted since Sheriff Lee Baca directed the Department's Internal Criminal Investigation Bureau to launch a criminal investigation into the facts surrounding the incident last December.
The investigation revealed that the men, who worked on the third floor of the jail, were part of a gang like clique, which included a three-fingered hand sign.
In addition to the terminations, the department is also looking into reforming jail assignments to keep coworkers from creating gangs such as these.
The fight resulted in seven deputies, whose identities have not been released, being relieved of duty with pay pending the investigation.
About 100 guests, including sheriff's supervisors, had attended the party at the Quiet Cannon Restaurant.
As the night was winding down near midnight, Montebello police received an anonymous 911 call reporting violence in the parking lot.
When Montebello officers arrived, they were told the combatants were deputies. No one was arrested that night.
At least two other deputies received medical attention, Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said.
The decision comes as a result of an internal probe that was launched shortly after the Dec. 10, 2010 brawl at a Montebello banquet hall.
Officials said the firing could be one of the largest disciplinary actions in the departmentÂ’s history.
More than 150 interviews were conducted since Sheriff Lee Baca directed the Department's Internal Criminal Investigation Bureau to launch a criminal investigation into the facts surrounding the incident last December.
The investigation revealed that the men, who worked on the third floor of the jail, were part of a gang like clique, which included a three-fingered hand sign.
In addition to the terminations, the department is also looking into reforming jail assignments to keep coworkers from creating gangs such as these.
The fight resulted in seven deputies, whose identities have not been released, being relieved of duty with pay pending the investigation.
About 100 guests, including sheriff's supervisors, had attended the party at the Quiet Cannon Restaurant.
As the night was winding down near midnight, Montebello police received an anonymous 911 call reporting violence in the parking lot.
When Montebello officers arrived, they were told the combatants were deputies. No one was arrested that night.
At least two other deputies received medical attention, Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said.
