Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/don-barnes/)
A flurry of recent felony charges against OC sheriff’s deputies – including falsifying police reports – is prompting questions about honesty and integrity lapses within the department.
Medical records allegedly show a cooperative prisoner was improperly shackled while giving birth to a stillborn baby in a hospital.
The new investigations are in addition to 17 criminal investigations that previously were referred to the District Attorney’s Office.
In a letter to Gov. Newsom, OC Sheriff Don Barnes said he might punish people for “egregious violations” of the statewide mask order.
Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes in a statement this month said deputies will continue to request voluntary compliance.
County supervisors ultimately approved all the contracts unanimously with no real debate or discussion about any of the terms or details.
Sheriff Don Barnes called the deputy’s actions “unacceptable and deeply concerning.” The deputy was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Sheriff officials say the flag was raised for an annual commemoration of law enforcement. Critics say the flag was tone-deaf amid nationwide protests.
U.S. District Judge Jesus Bernal noted medically vulnerable inmates could die if safety measures, like increased sanitation and access to more soap, aren’t implemented.
Orange County top law enforcement officials are calling on residents to report suspected cases of child and elder abuse as the Sheriff’s Department notes a 25 percent increase in domestic violence calls and a 30 percent increase in child custody disputes.