Official wants LA jail deputies to wear cameras

Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina said she would introduce a motion Tuesday to address some of the scathing criticism raised in recent weeks over conditions in the country's largest jail network.

The American Civil Liberties Union released a report last month detailing allegations of deputy misconduct and violence against inmates.

Calling the ACLU report "truly disturbing," Molina's motion calls for swift changes at county jails, which house about 15,000 inmates. She said the county has paid out more than $12 million in liability and legal fees in the past three years to resolve excessive force cases.

Among her proposals, Molina wants deputies to be barred from striking inmates' heads in most circumstances. She also wants changes in the way inmates are interviewed after they make an allegation of abuse.

The idea perhaps most likely to generate discussion is Molina's suggestion to have custody deputies wear tiny personal cameras to record interactions with inmates. The devices are being increasingly used by police agencies nationwide and can serve the dual purpose of exonerating police who are wrongly accused, as well as capturing officer misconduct.

Molina wants the Sheriff's Department to conduct a feasibility study and look for potential funding for the cameras.