LAAPOA joins a rapidly growing list of law enforcement associations and other organizations in supporting the campaign to recall L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón, including the Association of Deputy District Attorneys (ADDA), the Los Angeles Police Protective League (LAPPL), the Los Angeles County Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA), the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs (ALADS) and more.
Since taking office, Gascón has turned Los Angeles’ criminal justice system upside-down through a series of policy changes and directives that not only conflict with California law, but are also making the city more dangerous by not holding criminals accountable. These measures include:
- The elimination of cash bail
- Ending the use of sentencing enhancements and letting violent criminals off easy
- Refusing to prosecute juveniles as adults, regardless of the crime or circumstances
- Abandoning victims at parole hearings
- Declining to prosecute crimes that affect quality of life
- Never seeking the death penalty or life without parole, even in the most egregious cases
This reckless social experiment to overhaul the County’s criminal justice system has even drawn fire and legal challenges from Gascón’s own prosecutors, as well as local governments, public safety experts, victims’ rights advocates and residents who are fed up with skyrocketing crime. In fact, 97.9% of Los Angeles County deputy district attorneys voted to support recalling Gascón, while 32 city councils and counting in Los Angeles County have voted “no confidence” in his leadership. Former LAPD Chief of Police Charlie Beck, a friend of Gascón’s for over 30 years, has rescinded his endorsement of the failed DA.
The bipartisan recall effort is led by co-chairs Tania Owen (retired LASD deputy and wife of fallen Sergeant Steve Owen), Desiree Andrade (mother of Julian Andrade, whose killers face drastically reduced sentences due to Gascón’s policies), former L.A. County DA Steve Cooley, former Deputy DA Sam Dordulian, former Deputy DA Kathy Cady and former L.A. City Councilmember Dennis Zine.
“District attorneys are elected to enforce laws — not change them based on political pressure or their personal beliefs,” LAAPOA President Marshall McClain says. “The crime statistics speak for themselves: These policies have proven to be detrimental to the safety of our communities. Residents and peace officers alike need and deserve a prosecutor who enforces the law, protects the public and honors victims’ rights. LAAPOA calls on all city, county and state leaders, as well as residents, to join us in the effort to prioritize safety and restore justice in L.A. County by removing Gascón from office.”
If you are registered to vote in Los Angeles County, LAAPOA urges you to sign the petition today to recall Gascón. To show your support, please visit RecallDAGeorgeGascon.com.