SIB Staff

Sheriff Robert G. Luna Takes Charge of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department

Sheriff Robert Luna arrived today at the Hall of Justice and held his first news conference on the front steps. Supported by countless Sheriff’s Department employees, Sheriff Luna outlined his plan for the Department and set the groundwork to foster a collaborative work environment with the rest of County Government. “Integrity is about treating people with respect and living up to the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics.” Sheriff Luna said, “Accountability is not something to be feared, but rather embraced, as it is the cornerstone to any successful law enforcement agency. All of us, starting with me, will be accountable to the people we serve. And collaboration is the best way to reduce crime and to work with our community in partnership.” Robert G. Luna was elected as the 34th Los Angeles County Sheriff on November 8, 2022, and sworn into office on December 3, 2022.  

In line with the County Charter, Sheriff Luna took command of the largest Sheriff’s Department in the United States on December 5, 2022, with nearly 18,000 budgeted sworn and professional staff, encompassing over 4,000 square miles and hundreds of miles of rail and busways. Sheriff Luna will also be responsible for managing the country’s largest county jail and court system and providing safety and security to county residents hiking in the Angeles National Forest. 

Managing large law enforcement organizations is nothing new for Sheriff Luna. In 2021, Sheriff Luna completed his service as Long Beach Chief of Police, capping a 36-year career at the Long Beach Police Department, the county’s second-largest police department. Sheriff Luna started as a Long Beach Police Department reserve officer in 1985 and was promoted within every rank of the Police Department. He was appointed Chief of Police in 2014. During his time as Chief of Police, he served on the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) executive board and Homeland Security Committee, and the Police Executive Leadership Institute (PELI) mentorship program. He also received various awards from organizations in Long Beach for his civic leadership and community engagement.  

Sheriff Luna is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Executive Institute and National Academy, Harvard University’s program for senior executives in state and local government, and the University of Southern California’s (USC) Delinquency Control Institute. In addition, Sheriff Luna holds a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University Long Beach.  

Throughout the weekend, Sheriff Luna addressed the guests and Department members with words of encouragement and hope, “To all you wearing the Tan and Green, I am forever indebted to you.” He continued to explain the importance of respect: “I talk about respect because this uniform and badge represent all the courage’s men and women of this Sheriff’s Department who everyday work on behalf of ten million residents in Los Angeles County, and it also represents the hundred and thirty-nine fallen Sheriff’s personnel that have made the ultimate sacrifice serving our communities here in Los Angeles County.” 

His overarching message to the residents of Los Angeles County is, “I have every confidence in the Sheriff’s Department that we will serve our residents of LA County to the best of our ability, and I look forward to serving with each and every one of you.” 

To view the Taking of Oath Ceremony please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqzuAMdxJTw

To view Sheriff Luna’s first day in office, please visit: https://fb.watch/hehr2NMTti/

On October 19, 2022, at approximately 0730 hours, LA County Sheriff’s Narcotics Bureau Detectives and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents assigned to a task force at the Los Angeles International Airport seized approximately 12,000 suspected fentanyl pills.

The suspect attempted to go through TSA screening with several bags of candy and miscellaneous snacks with the intent of boarding a plane.  However, it was discovered that inside the “Sweetarts”, “Skittles”, and “Whoppers” candy boxes were fentanyl pills and not  candy.  The suspect fled prior to being detained by law enforcement but has been identified and the investigation is on-going.

With Halloween approaching, parents need to make sure they are checking their kids candy and not allowing them to eat anything until it has been inspected by them.  If you find anything in candy boxes that you believe might be narcotics, do not touch it and immediately notify your local law enforcement agency. 

The Office of the Sheriff is saddened to announce the passing of retired Executive Officer Raymond Leyva.  Mr. Leyva passed away on Wednesday, October 12, 2022. 

Ray Leyva began his career as a reserve officer with the Los Angeles Police Department in 1975, leaving the LAPD to work as a police officer for the Burbank Police Department in 1976, before transferring to the Sheriff’s Department in 1981.  He served as a Deputy Sheriff at Men’s Central Jail, Sybil Brand Institute for Women, and Firestone and Marina Del Rey stations before promoting to Sergeant in 1985.  As a Sergeant, he worked at multiple stations as well as Custody Division Headquarters.  Upon his promotion to Lieutenant in 1990, he was assigned to the Office of the Undersheriff, East Los Angeles Station, North County Correctional Facility, East Facility, Recruit Training Bureau, Custody Division Headquarters and Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau.

In August of 1999, he was promoted to Captain of Court Services West Bureau.  In 2001, he was transferred to Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau with responsibilities involving the Office of the Sheriff and all media interaction for the Department.  In 2003, he was placed in command of Men’s Central Jail and in 2004, was transferred to Pitchess Detention Center North Facility.  In March 2010, he was moved to the Pitchess Detention Center East Facility.

In 2012, Mr. Leyva was promoted to the position of Commander and assigned to Field Operations Region I, where he supervised patrol stations located in northern Los Angeles County.  In 2013, the Department reorganized and he was reassigned to North Patrol Division.  His responsibilities included managing the budget and personnel needs of the Division along with other administrative duties.

In 2016, he retired from the Department as a Commander after 35 years of service.  In 2018, he accepted an offer to return to the Department as an Executive Officer, performing the duties of the Undersheriff. 

Mr.  Leyva held both a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from California State University Los Angeles and Pepperdine University, respectively.  He graduated from several leadership programs throughout the country and taught “Train the Trainer” courses nationwide in the area of Analytical Interviewing.  Mr. Leyva had extensive training in Emergency Management protocols and completed the Tactical Science Course involving Disaster and Crime Scene Management.  He served as the HAPCOA representative to the Department of Homeland Security and assisted numerous agencies nationwide in the selection of supervisory and management personnel.

Mr. Leyva was a Past-National President of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, Past-President of the Southern California Chapter of HAPCOA, Past-President and Board Member of the Los Angeles County Chicano Employees Association, Board Member of the Professional Peace Officers Association (PPOA), as well as a member of several other Law Enforcement Associations. 

The Sheriff’s Department extends our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the Leyva family.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

– Sheriff Alex Villanueva

Twenty-one years ago, our world was drastically changed on September 11, 2001, when the United States was cowardly and viciously attacked by terrorists. In the span of a few moments, our nation’s history was redefined, and the scar of those tragic events will remain etched in our minds forever. 

Over three thousand American lives were lost that day, and many more continue to die due to illnesses they have developed over the years from that fateful morning. Today we honor their memory and pray that their families and loved ones find peace.

Today, we remember our heroes; the first responders who ran up the World Trade Center (Twin Towers) stairs. The first responders who went up the many levels of stairs to help people. With 40-plus pounds of equipment and fear in their eyes, they ran up those stairs into the unknown. Imagine, as innocent people ran down the stairs, those first responders kept running up. Not knowing what would come next, those first responders sacrificed their lives to help as many as possible and never got a chance to say goodbye to their families. Many heroes were lost that day and in the days to come. 

In the aftermath of September 11, the phrase, ‘Never Forget,” became a symbol. It is now a symbol that reminds all Americans never to forget those we lost. In memory of many, in honor of all, let’s stand united and never forget.

Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or background. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, it is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and continues to be on the rise. On #WorldSuicidePreventionDay, our goal is to raise awareness and hope that the information we provide can help prevent a tragedy from happening.

Recognizing the warning signs and understanding how to respond, can help prevent suicides.  Depression, financial problems, abuse, aggression, exploitation, or a life-changing event, can contribute to feelings of pain, despair, and hopelessness. If you or someone you love are in a crisis and suffer from depression, please don’t wait. Help is available, all you have to do is one of the following: 

•       Call 911

•       Go to the nearest hospital

•       Call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 on your smartphone or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) for free confidential emotional support. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week throughout the United States. 

•       Contact the Crisis Text Line by texting the word HELLO to 741741

•       Lifeline counselors are available for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing by dialing the 988 number.

•       Veterans and service members, the Veterans Crisis Line has crisis line responder readily available to help by texting 838255.

Visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website for more: https://988lifeline.org/