Sacramento, California, March 11, 2025 – The Chief Probation Officers of California (CPOC) has sent a letter regarding the Criminal indictments of 30 probation officers within the Los Angeles County Probation Department to The Honorable Mike McGuire, President Pro Tempore of the California State Senate, and The Honorable Robert Rivas, Speaker of the California State Assembly. 

Re: Criminal indictments of 30 probation officers within the Los Angeles County Probation Department 

Dear Pro Tem McGuire and Speaker Rivas, 

As probation chiefs representing every county in California, we write regarding the criminal indictments involving 30 probation officers within the Los Angeles County Probation Department, specifically at Campus Kilpatrick and Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall. These alleged actions are unacceptable and deeply troubling. If proven through judicial proceedings, they demand accountability from those who have betrayed the fundamental values and training of our profession, as well as the trust placed in all of us as caretakers of youth. Such misconduct undermines the integrity of our field and does not reflect the mission, standards, training, and dedication upheld by probation staff, officers and departments across the state. 

The work of probation is built on a foundation of accountability, rehabilitation, and community safety and our workforce is dedicated to implementing evidence-based practices, trauma-informed care, and individualized interventions that keep youth at the center of our work. 

As stated by the current Los Angeles County Probation Chief both before and after the indictments were filed, the incidents under review do not reflect the dedication of probation professionals who dedicate their careers to creating positive outcomes for justice-involved youth. Our organization has previously condemned such actions, and we reaffirm that any behavior that betrays our professional training and the trust placed in us must be addressed with swift and appropriate accountability. 

The Probation profession has consistently adapted to new challenges, embraced reform, and implemented research-based policies to improve outcomes for youth in the justice system. Supervision of youth placed by the court in probation’s care requires and deserves a highly skilled, trained, and supported workforce. Across California, probation departments take an individualized approach to rehabilitation, identifying the unique needs of each youth and prioritizing community-based placements whenever possible and safe to do so. This system functions effectively because of the careful checks and balances between the courts, county boards, and community stakeholders who work collaboratively to ensure probation departments fulfill their mission. 

We stand with the thousands of dedicated probation professionals throughout the state who uphold the mission of probation every day—providing supervision, support, and rehabilitation services that prioritize the well-being of the youth in our care. As we see in juvenile facilities throughout the state, despite the challenges and complexities of working with our state’s most high-need and high-risk youth, this work demands only the highest standards of training and ethics to successfully carry out the mission. 

We remain committed to policies that support a well-trained, well-resourced probation system that can continue its critical role in the justice system. We appreciate your commitment to accountability and believe any officer who fails to uphold their duty to maintain a safe, rehabilitative environment for youth must face appropriate consequences. 

Sincerely, 

Chief Steve Jackson
President 
Chief Probation Officers of California 

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