# Robert Luna *candidate · Los Angeles County Sheriff* — November 3, 2026 General Election (2026-11-03), Los Angeles County, California Research pack generated 2026-10-30T23:52:30+00:00 by ballotscope. Summaries are LLM-generated from the linked originals and may contain errors; check the originals before relying on anything. Sources span 2022-06-10 to 2026-10-28. ## Overview (as of 2026-10-29, from 26 sources) Robert Luna, a 36-year Long Beach police veteran and its chief from 2014, unseated Alex Villanueva in 2022 by about 61% to 39% and now faces him again after leading the June 2026 primary with 44% to Villanueva's 22% [What kind of LA County sheriff will Robert Luna be?; Luna, Villanueva LA County sheriff's race (Decision 2026); 2026 general election voter guide: LA County Sheriff]. He ran in 2022 as a '180-degree difference' from Villanueva, promising cooperation with oversight, an end to deputy gangs and collaboration with county officials [Who the heck is Robert Luna? Here's what we know about the candidate for sheriff; LA County sheriff debate: Robert Luna criticizes Sheriff Alex Villanueva's record; What kind of LA County sheriff will Robert Luna be?]. As sheriff he ordered deputies to cooperate with the inspector general's deputy-gang probe in 2023 [LASD sheriff orders deputies to obey watchdog request to reveal gang tattoos] and reported progress on most of the oversight commission's 27 gang recommendations in 2025 [Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission March 20, 2025 meeting minutes]. In March 2025 he went to court rather than comply with commission subpoenas for use-of-force files, citing county counsel's advice; the commission called this 'extraordinary' [Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission March 20, 2025 meeting minutes; LA County Sheriff Robert Luna subpoenas oversight body]. His second-term case rests on falling violent crime and a 25% drop in homicides, which LAist notes tracks a national trend [2026 California primary voter guide: Los Angeles County Sheriff; 2026 general election voter guide: LA County Sheriff]. The main criticism is the jails: the state attorney general sued in September 2025 over conditions and rising preventable deaths, and a federal investigation of Men's Central Jail was announced in September 2026 [Attorney General Bonta Sues Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Over Inhumane Conditions at County Jails; 2026 general election voter guide: LA County Sheriff]. Luna attributes rising deaths to a sicker incoming population and says his goal is zero [Sheriff Luna addresses concerns after 10 inmates die in LA County jails so far this year]. ### Record highlights - As Long Beach police chief (2014-2021), introduced body-worn cameras, an early-warning system and an office of constitutional policing; police shootings fell, while related litigation cost the city more than $30 million (2014-2019) and his department drew criticism over 2020 protest response and lewd-conduct stings. [Who the heck is Robert Luna? Here's what we know about the candidate for sheriff; Luna, Villanueva sheriff runoff campaign; What kind of LA County sheriff will Robert Luna be?] - Elected sheriff in November 2022, about 61% to 39%. [Luna, Villanueva LA County sheriff's race (Decision 2026); 2026 general election voter guide: LA County Sheriff] - May 2023: ordered all personnel to appear and give truthful statements in the inspector general's deputy-gang tattoo interviews. [LASD sheriff orders deputies to obey watchdog request to reveal gang tattoos] - December 2023: reported a new gang and clique policy, at least three investigations with discipline in one, a 31% drop in jail force incidents, and a shortage of 1,200 deputies. ['I wanted to change the tone:' Robert Luna evaluates first year as Los Angeles County sheriff] - March 2025: reported 19 of 27 commission deputy-gang recommendations completed or nearing completion, while declining to cut supervision ratios or rotate deputies; filed a declaratory-relief suit instead of complying with subpoenas for three use-of-force case files. [Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission March 20, 2025 meeting minutes; LA County Sheriff Robert Luna subpoenas oversight body] - 2025: kept deputies out of ICE sweeps and transferred 20 people in custody to ICE in May-June only on judicial warrants. [LA County Sheriff Robert Luna: Department will not assist in immigration enforcement; LASD transferred at least 20 inmates over to ICE. Sheriff Luna explains why] - September 2025: named in the attorney general's lawsuit over jail conditions; LASD said the suit used outdated information and cited $309 million in jail upgrades. [Attorney General Bonta Sues Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Over Inhumane Conditions at County Jails; Sheriff's office responds to California's lawsuit over jails] - 2025-2026: jails recorded 46 in-custody deaths in 2025 and 10 by mid-February 2026, and were over rated capacity in September 2025; he asked the National Institute of Corrections to review conditions. [OIG Reform and Oversight Efforts: LASD, July-September 2025; Sheriff Luna addresses concerns after 10 inmates die in LA County jails so far this year; 2026 California primary voter guide: Los Angeles County Sheriff] ### Stated positions - Oversight: in 2022 pledged 'I will comply with subpoenas'; in 2025 said he sought court clarification so he could 'follow the law' and had 'nothing to hide'. [What kind of LA County sheriff will Robert Luna be?; LA County Sheriff Robert Luna subpoenas oversight body] - Deputy gangs exist and must be eradicated, including by changing department culture. [LA County sheriff debate: Robert Luna criticizes Sheriff Alex Villanueva's record; LA County sheriff debate recap: Villanueva and Luna clash in combative exchanges; What kind of LA County sheriff will Robert Luna be?; Sheriff Robert Luna says things going "extremely well" after his first month in office] - Collaboration with the Board of Supervisors and the district attorney even amid disagreement; investigating political opponents is wrong. [Chief Luna, Sheriff Villanueva trade criticisms in heated debate for LA County Sheriff; LA County sheriff debate: Robert Luna criticizes Sheriff Alex Villanueva's record; LA County sheriff debate recap: Villanueva and Luna clash in combative exchanges; LA County sheriff race features 8 candidates, differing visions for LASD] - Jails: Men's Central Jail should close; rising deaths reflect a medically fragile population he links to Proposition 36; he is piloting vital-sign monitoring and body cameras in custody. ['I wanted to change the tone:' Robert Luna evaluates first year as Los Angeles County sheriff; Sheriff Luna addresses concerns after 10 inmates die in LA County jails so far this year] - Immigration is a federal civil matter; deputies will not join sweeps or ask immigration status. [LA County Sheriff Robert Luna: Department will not assist in immigration enforcement; LASD transferred at least 20 inmates over to ICE. Sheriff Luna explains why] - Second-term priorities, per his website: repeat offenders, deputy mental health, long-term crime prevention. [LA County sheriff race features 8 candidates, differing visions for LASD] ### Where sources disagree - Subpoenas: Luna says county counsel advised that releasing personnel records would break state law; Chair Bonner says Measure R authorizes the subpoenas and county counsel is wrong. [Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission March 20, 2025 meeting minutes; LA County Sheriff Robert Luna subpoenas oversight body] - Jail lawsuit: the attorney general says LASD was obstinate; LASD says it was fully cooperative, producing over a million documents, and that the suit relied on outdated information. [Attorney General Bonta Sues Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Over Inhumane Conditions at County Jails; Sheriff's office responds to California's lawsuit over jails] - Crime: Luna credits his policies for falling crime; LAist notes the decline matches a nationwide trend. [2026 California primary voter guide: Los Angeles County Sheriff; 2026 general election voter guide: LA County Sheriff] - Deputy gangs: his website says he banned them; the Daily Bruin notes that a ban was already required by AB 958. [LA County sheriff race features 8 candidates, differing visions for LASD] - Vacancies: Luna cited a 1,200-deputy shortage in 2023; The Current Report claims more than 1,700 vacancies in 2026. ['I wanted to change the tone:' Robert Luna evaluates first year as Los Angeles County sheriff; The Trojan Horse Sheriff: Robert Luna's endorsement machine exposed] ### Gaps - No 2026 debate or forum, and no full transcript of any Luna interview. - His 2026 campaign website and questionnaire answers were not captured (LAist's 'In his own words' and 2022 questionnaire pages did not render). - No court ruling on his declaratory-relief suit over the subpoenas, and no outcome yet in the attorney general's jail lawsuit. - Few explicitly supportive sources: no endorsement statements or editorials for 2026 beyond endorsement lists. - No independent data on deputy staffing or recruitment trends under Luna. ### Arguments for / praise - He restored cooperation with oversight bodies after Villanueva's conflicts, a commitment the oversight commission's chair called stronger than any prior sheriff's. — *Sean Kennedy (oversight commission chair), Los Angeles Times / Police1* [Sheriff-elect Luna on fractured relationships and challenges ahead post-Villanueva; LASD sheriff orders deputies to obey watchdog request to reveal gang tattoos] - Crime fell on his watch: violent crime has dropped every year and homicides are down 25%, according to his campaign. — *Luna campaign* [2026 California primary voter guide: Los Angeles County Sheriff; LA County sheriff race features 8 candidates, differing visions for LASD; 2026 general election voter guide: LA County Sheriff] - He is a moderate reformer with broad institutional support, including the county Democratic Party, county Federation of Labor, police chiefs' association and former primary rivals. — *Political scientists quoted by Long Beach Post, LAist* [Who the heck is Robert Luna? Here's what we know about the candidate for sheriff; Luna, Villanueva sheriff runoff campaign; 2026 California primary voter guide: Los Angeles County Sheriff] ### Arguments against / criticism - Jail conditions are unconstitutional and preventable deaths have risen under Luna, who refused comprehensive jail fixes. — *California Attorney General Rob Bonta* [Attorney General Bonta Sues Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Over Inhumane Conditions at County Jails] - He broke his oversight pledge by refusing commission subpoenas, conduct the chair called 'disrespectful'. — *Commission Chair Robert Bonner, LAist* [LA County Sheriff Robert Luna subpoenas oversight body; 2026 California primary voter guide: Los Angeles County Sheriff; 2026 general election voter guide: LA County Sheriff] - He defers to the Board of Supervisors, while vacancies and morale have worsened. — *Cece Woods, The Current Report* [The Trojan Horse Sheriff: Robert Luna's endorsement machine exposed] - He has not publicly opposed increased federal immigration enforcement. — *Candidates Brendan Corbett and Eric Strong* [LA County sheriff race features 8 candidates, differing visions for LASD] ## Analysis of their own words (as of 2026-10-29) Coverage: 15 samples, June 2022 to June 2026: five news reports of the 2022 debates and forum with extended quotes (S10-S14); nine interview or press-conference reports (S2-S6, S8, S9, S15, and S1, a 2026 emailed statement); and one department-wide email he sent, quoted at length (S7, 2023). All are journalists' excerpts; there are no full transcripts. Missing: campaign issue pages and questionnaire answers in full, any 2026 debate or forum, and any 2026 statement on his record beyond jail deaths (S2) and a short note to UCLA students (S1). Luna presents himself as a collaborative, oversight-friendly institutional reformer: he says deputy gangs exist and must be rooted out [S11, S8, S6], favors partnerships and alternatives to police response on homelessness and mental health [S8, S15], and will not take part in immigration enforcement beyond judicial warrants [S5, S3]. On those issues, oversight, immigration and jail health, his positions are reform-oriented. He also pairs them with conventional enforcement aims, such as coordinating with prosecutors on habitual and gun offenders [S9]. Overall the record supports describing him as a moderate reformer, not a broader ideological label. Articulation: **adequate**. Nearly all samples are unscripted remarks as excerpted by reporters; the one written text, his 2023 order to deputies, is direct and specific [S7]. He stays on one theme, collaboration and trust, from 2022 to 2026 [S15, S11, S6, S1]. He is precise on legal procedure, for example the warrant standard for ICE transfers [S3] and the declaratory-relief rationale [S4], and in 2026 he cited figures on jail health (51% needing more medical care, 54% of deaths from natural causes) [S2]. Much of his 2022 debate speech is about his opponent's conduct rather than his own plans [S11, S13, S14], and some policy answers stay general [S8]. Consistency: **adequate**. His themes on deputy gangs, collaboration, immigration and homelessness hold steady across 2022-2026. The main tension is oversight: a categorical 2022 pledge to comply with subpoenas against a 2025 court challenge to commission subpoenas, which he explained as seeking legal clarity on county counsel's advice (see shifts). - Civilian oversight: Pledged in 2022 to comply fully with oversight; in 2023 ordered deputies to cooperate with the inspector general; in 2025 went to court over commission subpoenas, saying county counsel advised the requests were unlawful. - "I will be a sheriff who completely cooperates with oversight" [What kind of LA County sheriff will Robert Luna be?] (2022-11-15) - "Please be advised that all Department personnel who received such a request are hereby ordered to appear and cooperate in such interviews" [LASD sheriff orders deputies to obey watchdog request to reveal gang tattoos] (2023-05-19) - "This isn't an issue of trying to hide any information. We just want clarification so we can follow the law." [LA County Sheriff Robert Luna subpoenas oversight body] (2025-03-20) - Deputy gangs: Says they exist, must be acknowledged, and are being investigated, with discipline in at least one case. - "You can't fix a problem you don't know exists." [LA County sheriff debate recap: Villanueva and Luna clash in combative exchanges] (2022-09-22) - "There has been discipline associated with one; there are others that are still being investigated." ['I wanted to change the tone:' Robert Luna evaluates first year as Los Angeles County sheriff] (2023-12-06) - Relations with county officials and the DA: Says the sheriff must work with the Board of Supervisors and the district attorney despite disagreements. - "People don't want to see their elected officials fighting on television, calling each other names. That is not what we are elected for" [Who the heck is Robert Luna? Here's what we know about the candidate for sheriff] (2022-06-10) - "I don't agree with all of George Gascón's policies, but my obligation is to work with him." [LA County sheriff debate recap: Villanueva and Luna clash in combative exchanges] (2022-09-22) - Investigating political opponents: Says the department had no business investigating Supervisor Kuehl. - "You cannot investigate your political opponents or enemies." [Chief Luna, Sheriff Villanueva trade criticisms in heated debate for LA County Sheriff] (2022-09-21) - Jail deaths and conditions: Ties rising in-custody deaths to a sicker, larger jail population, denies making excuses, and cites vital-sign monitoring and body cameras; earlier called the old facilities unfit. - "As a matter of fact, we're now at 51% of our population who needs more medical care." [Sheriff Luna addresses concerns after 10 inmates die in LA County jails so far this year] (2026-02-19) - "I'm not rationalizing it or making excuses" [Sheriff Luna addresses concerns after 10 inmates die in LA County jails so far this year] (2026-02-19) - "I want to get to zero. That's the goal, because we know they're people in my care." [Sheriff Luna addresses concerns after 10 inmates die in LA County jails so far this year] (2026-02-19) - "Our facilities are almost 70 years old" ['I wanted to change the tone:' Robert Luna evaluates first year as Los Angeles County sheriff] (2023-12-06) - Immigration enforcement: Will not join ICE sweeps or ask immigration status; transfers people in custody only on a judicial warrant. - "We're doing so many things to service our community, we simply don't have the staffing to start assisting in immigration enforcement" [LA County Sheriff Robert Luna: Department will not assist in immigration enforcement] (2025-02-13) - "We will only transfer an individual into ICE custody if we are presented with a federal judicial warrant that's signed by a judge." [LASD transferred at least 20 inmates over to ICE. Sheriff Luna explains why] (2025-07-17) - Crime: Favors data-driven, targeted enforcement and coordination with prosecutors on habitual and gun offenders. - "a data-driven approach, be relentless in investigations, and be surgical with interventions" [What kind of LA County sheriff will Robert Luna be?] (2022-11-15) - "law enforcement must coordinate with the DA's Office to create a plan for habitual offenders, especially for individuals accused of gun violence" [What kind of LA County sheriff will Robert Luna be?] (2022-11-15) - Homelessness and mental-health calls: Wants multiple tailored solutions with partners and non-police responses where possible. - "It is so complex, if you take 10 people, you may need five or six different solutions and that means different partners" [Sheriff Robert Luna says things going "extremely well" after his first month in office] (2023-01-06) - "We don't have to have police respond to traffic violations" [Who the heck is Robert Luna? Here's what we know about the candidate for sheriff] (2022-06-10) - Staffing: Says the department is short in custody and patrol and must fill positions. - "at the end of the day we need to fill positions. We're short in custody, we're short in patrol" [Sheriff Robert Luna says things going "extremely well" after his first month in office] (2023-01-06) Limitations: All evidence is reporter-selected excerpts; nothing here is a full transcript or a campaign platform in his own words. There is no 2026 debate, and little 2026 speech on the main campaign disputes (jail conditions litigation, staffing, oversight). Remarks as sheriff come from operational press events and may differ in register from campaign speech. ## Timeline (newest first) - **2026-11-03** — General election runoff between Luna and Villanueva (LAist) - **2026-10-28** — Published: LA County sheriff is facing a crowded field of challengers (Los Angeles Times (via ArcaMax syndication)) - **2026-10-02** — Published: 2026 general election voter guide: LA County Sheriff (LAist) - **2026-09-09** — Department of Justice informs Sheriff Luna of an investigation into conditions at Men's Central Jail (LAist) - **2026-06-10** — Published: Luna, Villanueva LA County sheriff's race (Decision 2026) (NBC Los Angeles) - **2026-06-09** — Villanueva issues emailed statement on advancing (NBC Los Angeles) - **2026-06-02** — Sheriff primary election (LAist) - **2026-06-02** — Primary election; Luna and Villanueva advance to the November runoff (NBC Los Angeles) - **2026-06-02** — Published: LA County sheriff race features 8 candidates, differing visions for LASD (Daily Bruin) - **2026-06-02** — Primary election for Los Angeles County Sheriff (Daily Bruin) - **2026-05-07** — Published: 2026 California primary voter guide: Los Angeles County Sheriff (LAist) - **2026-04-30** — Published: The Trojan Horse Sheriff: Robert Luna's endorsement machine exposed (The Current Report) - **2026-04-30** — The Current Report publishes piece criticizing Luna's endorsements (The Current Report) - **2026-02-19** — Published: Sheriff Luna addresses concerns after 10 inmates die in LA County jails so far this year (ABC7 Los Angeles) - **2026-02-19** — Luna interviewed on ABC7 Eyewitness News about 10 in-custody deaths in 2026 (ABC7 Los Angeles) - **2025-11-19** — Published: OIG Reform and Oversight Efforts: LASD, July-September 2025 (LA County Office of Inspector General) - **2025-11-19** — OIG issues July-September 2025 quarterly report (LA County Office of Inspector General) - **2025-09-09** — Published: Sheriff's office responds to California's lawsuit over jails (AOL) - **2025-09-08** — Attorney General Bonta holds news conference announcing lawsuit over LA County jail conditions (AOL) - **2025-09-08** — LASD issues news release and Luna statement responding to the lawsuit (AOL) - **2025-09-08** — Published: Attorney General Bonta Sues Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Over Inhumane Conditions at County Jails (California Attorney General) - **2025-09-08** — Attorney General files lawsuit against LA County, LASD and Sheriff Luna over jail conditions (California Attorney General) - **2025-09** — California Attorney General Rob Bonta sues over county jail conditions (LAist) - **2025-09** — Attorney General files lawsuit over LA County jail conditions (LAist) - **2025-07-17** — Published: LASD transferred at least 20 inmates over to ICE. Sheriff Luna explains why (ABC7 Los Angeles) - **2025-07-17** — Luna holds press conference on transfers of inmates to ICE (ABC7 Los Angeles) - **2025-07** — LASD retains outside counsel to review subpoena materials (LA County Office of Inspector General) - **2025-06-11** — OIG memo to Board of Supervisors suspending regular rollouts to deputy-involved shootings (LA County Office of Inspector General) - **2025-05** — LASD begins a period of transfers (20 through June) of inmates to ICE on judicial warrants (ABC7 Los Angeles) - **2025-04-18** — OIG follow-up request for surveillance materials; still outstanding at report time (LA County Office of Inspector General) - **2025-03-20** — Published: Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission March 20, 2025 meeting minutes (LA County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission) - **2025-03-20** — Luna presents LASD self-assessment on 27 deputy-gang recommendations to the Civilian Oversight Commission (LA County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission) - **2025-03-20** — No LASD custodian appears in response to Commission subpoenas; Commission votes to seek enforcement and counsel against LASD's declaratory relief action (LA County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission) - **2025-03-20** — Commission votes 8-0 urging Luna to ban the Fort Apache station logo (LA County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission) - **2025-03-20** — Published: LA County Sheriff Robert Luna subpoenas oversight body (Spectrum News 1) - **2025-03-20** — Luna declines to comply with Civilian Oversight Commission subpoenas at Commission meeting (Spectrum News 1) - **2025-03** — Published: L.A. Sheriff Luna defies subpoenas, sues oversight commission over deputy misconduct records (Los Angeles Times (via AOL)) - **2025-03** — Luna files declaratory relief action in LA County Superior Court over Commission subpoenas (Spectrum News 1) - **2025-02-27** — Commission holds East LA town hall (LA County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission) - **2025-02-13** — Published: LA County Sheriff Robert Luna: Department will not assist in immigration enforcement (ABC7 Los Angeles) - **2025-02-13** — Luna tells ABC7 the department will not participate in ICE sweeps (ABC7 Los Angeles) - **2024-11** — Luna tells ABC7 deputies will not initiate immigration enforcement (Daily Bruin) - **2024-10-01** — OIG subpoena served on LASD regarding surveillance of county oversight officials (LA County Office of Inspector General) - **2023-12-06** — Published: 'I wanted to change the tone:' Robert Luna evaluates first year as Los Angeles County sheriff (ABC7 Los Angeles) - **2023-12-06** — Luna marks one year as sheriff in ABC7 interview (ABC7 Los Angeles) - **2023-05-19** — Published: LASD sheriff orders deputies to obey watchdog request to reveal gang tattoos (Police1) - **2023-05-18** — Luna sends department-wide email ordering cooperation with OIG deputy-gang interviews (Police1) - **2023-05-12** — Inspector General sends 35 letters ordering deputies to show suspected gang tattoos (Police1) - **2023-03-03** — Published: Civilian Oversight Panel Adopts Recommendations to Eradicate Deputy Gangs (County of Los Angeles) - **2023-03-03** — Civilian Oversight Commission approves Special Counsel's deputy gangs report and adopts 27 recommendations, sending them to Sheriff Luna (County of Los Angeles) - **2023-01-06** — Published: Sheriff Robert Luna says things going "extremely well" after his first month in office (CBS Los Angeles) - **2022-12-05** — Published: Sheriff-elect Luna on fractured relationships and challenges ahead post-Villanueva (LMU Newsroom) - **2022-12** — Luna takes office as sheriff (AOL) - **2022-11-15** — Villanueva concedes to Luna (per update) (LAist) - **2022-11-15** — Published: What kind of LA County sheriff will Robert Luna be? (LAist) - **2022-11-15** — Luna issues victory statement after Villanueva concedes (LAist) - **2022-11** — Luna unseats Villanueva in the general election (CBS Los Angeles) - **2022-10-26** — Luna interviewed on LAist/KPCC's AirTalk (LAist) - **2022-10-11** — Published: Sheriff candidate questionnaire: Robert Luna (LAist) - **2022-10-11** — Published: The Race For LA County Sheriff: Q&A With Robert Luna And Alex Villanueva (LAist) ## Sources ### LA County sheriff is facing a crowded field of challengers - Los Angeles Times (via ArcaMax syndication) · news · published 2026-10-28 · stance: neutral - ### 2026 general election voter guide: LA County Sheriff - LAist · voter guide · published 2026-10-02 · stance: neutral - LAist's November 3, 2026 general-election voter guide (by Frank Stoltze, updated October 14, 2026) for the Los Angeles County Sheriff runoff between incumbent Robert Luna and former Sheriff Alex Villanueva. It explains the office's duties, lists the issues facing the next sheriff (jail conditions, recruitment, use of force, deputy gangs, civilian oversight), and profiles both candidates with endorsements and links. The "In his own words" sections did not render in the stored text. - Luna ousted Villanueva in 2022 by 61% to 39%, per LAist. - Luna says new policies since he took over helped drive violent crime down and cut homicides 25% in areas patrolled by his deputies; LAist notes this is part of a nationwide trend of declining crime and cites his website for the figure. - Villanueva alleges the department "has just fallen apart" since his defeat. - Luna is seeking a second term amid criticism of jail operations, including a September 2025 California Attorney General lawsuit and a Department of Justice investigation into Men's Central Jail announced to Luna on Sept. 9 (2026). - Luna has asked the National Institute of Corrections to review jail conditions after an increase in jail deaths. - LAist says the current sheriff has at times refused to respond to subpoenas from the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission. - Luna's listed endorsements include the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, ALADS, the L.A. County Federation of Labor and the Los Angeles County Police Chiefs Association. - Reference: DOJ notice of investigation into Men's Central Jail conditions - Reference: California Attorney General's jail-conditions complaint - Reference: Luna campaign website - Reference: Luna 2026 endorsements list - Reference: Villanueva campaign website - Reference: Villanueva endorsements list - Reference: Fox 11 interview with Villanueva - Reference: Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission meeting recordings and transcripts ### Luna, Villanueva LA County sheriff's race (Decision 2026) - NBC Los Angeles · news · published 2026-06-10 · stance: neutral - A short NBC Los Angeles report (Danielle Smith, June 10, 2026) that incumbent Sheriff Robert Luna and former Sheriff Alex Villanueva will meet in the November 2026 runoff, giving updated primary results. It includes a statement from Villanueva but none from Luna. - As of June 10, 2026, Luna had 44.18% (856,069 votes) and Villanueva 21.71% (420,683) in the June 2 primary, per the County Registrar. - Eric Strong was third with 14.95%. - Luna unseated Villanueva in 2022 with about 61% of the vote; it is the second general-election matchup between them. - Eight candidates were on the June primary ballot. - Reference: NBC LA 2022 coverage of Luna's win over Villanueva - Reference: NBC LA guide to the eight primary candidates ### LA County sheriff race features 8 candidates, differing visions for LASD - Daily Bruin · interview · published 2026-06-02 · stance: neutral - Daily Bruin (UCLA student newspaper) overview of the eight candidates in the June 2, 2026 primary for Los Angeles County Sheriff. For incumbent Robert Luna it reports an emailed statement to the paper, his 2022 pledges, and record claims drawn from his campaign website and public crime data, plus criticism from rivals Brendan Corbett and Eric Strong on immigration enforcement. It also profiles Villanueva (who did not respond to interview requests) and the other challengers. - In an emailed statement, Luna said: "As a County-wide elected official, it is my job as Sheriff to be responsive and collaborative with everyone in Los Angeles County, including students at UCLA." - Per his campaign website, Luna established a Crime Strategy Unit and Office of Constitutional Policing, outfitted jail deputies with body-worn cameras, and published more transparency data. - The paper notes Luna's website says he banned deputy gangs, which was already required under Assembly Bill 958. - Violent crime has decreased each year since 2022 according to an LASD transparency dashboard; California DOJ data show clearance rates for violent and property crimes rose 2022-2024, while arson clearance fell. - Luna's stated re-election priorities, per his website: holding repeat offenders accountable, improving deputy mental health, and investing in long-term crime prevention. - Corbett and Strong criticized Luna for not publicly taking a stand against increased federal immigration enforcement; Luna's campaign said he criticized raids in several media appearances and did not send information about undocumented inmates to the federal government. - Villanueva did not respond to interview requests; his website says he would return to "restore operational strength, rebuild public confidence," and a campaign video pledged 2,000 new deputies in two years. - Reference: LASD crime statistics transparency dashboard - Reference: California DOJ OpenJustice crime clearance data - Reference: Assembly Bill 958 (law enforcement gangs) - Reference: ABC7 interview with Luna on immigration enforcement (video) - Reference: Daily Bruin: candidate seeks to reinstate ICE cooperation program ### 2026 California primary voter guide: Los Angeles County Sheriff - LAist · voter guide · published 2026-05-07 · stance: neutral - LAist's 2026 primary voter guide to the LA County Sheriff race by Frank Stoltze (published May 7, 2026; updated through October 19, 2026). It explains the office, lists issues for the next term (jails, recruitment, use of force, deputy gangs, oversight), and profiles all eight primary candidates. For incumbent Robert Luna it reports his campaign's crime claims, the Attorney General's jail lawsuit, his request for a National Institute of Corrections review, his endorsements, and notes that he has at times refused to respond to Civilian Oversight Commission subpoenas. - Luna was elected in 2022 after seven years as Long Beach police chief; he grew up in East LA. - According to Luna's website, violent crime has fallen every year in LASD-patrolled areas and homicides are down 25% since 2023; LAist notes this is part of a nationwide trend. - Luna seeks a second term amid criticism of the jails; the state Attorney General sued in September 2025 alleging unconstitutional, inhumane conditions, and Luna asked the National Institute of Corrections to review conditions after an increase in jail deaths. - LAist writes that the current sheriff has at times refused to respond to Civilian Oversight Commission subpoenas. - Luna's listed endorsements: LA County Democratic Party, LA County Federation of Labor, LA County Police Chiefs Association. - Other issues flagged: a recruitment crisis and overtime, excessive-force complaints including at 2025 immigration protests, and deputy gangs (a 2021 Loyola report found 18 over 50 years). - Reference: Luna campaign website - Reference: Luna 2026 endorsements list - Reference: Attorney General's lawsuit (complaint) - Reference: LA County Registrar campaign finance page - Reference: Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission reports - Reference: Villanueva campaign website ### The Trojan Horse Sheriff: Robert Luna's endorsement machine exposed - The Current Report · other · published 2026-04-30 · stance: oppose - An opinion-advocacy piece by Cece Woods, editor of The Current Report, arguing against Sheriff Robert Luna's re-election and in favor of Alex Villanueva. It characterizes Luna's 2026 endorsements (Board of Supervisors members, labor unions, business chambers, Democratic clubs) as aligned with 'anti-law enforcement' politics, alleges Luna defers to the Board of Supervisors, criticizes the deputies' unions ALADS and PPOA/POPA for not endorsing, and cites staffing and morale problems. Many claims rest on unnamed sources and are not documented in the piece. - The author lists Supervisors Horvath, Mitchell, Solis, Hahn and Barger among Luna's endorsers and argues the Board is 'effectively running' the department under Luna, citing unnamed insiders. - The author says Luna called former DA George Gascón his 'mentor and friend,' without giving a source or date. - The author claims the department has over 1,700 vacancies, collapsing recruitment, high overtime and slipping response times. - The author says Villanueva was endorsed by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Professional Association with 81.5% support from deputies. - The author alleges, citing unnamed sources, that ALADS and POPA leaders were advised by a Luna-chosen contractor not to endorse to avoid unfavorable membership polling; the piece also criticizes ALADS political spending. - The piece closes by calling the choice 'clear' in Villanueva's favor. - Reference: Villanueva 2026 campaign website ### Sheriff Luna addresses concerns after 10 inmates die in LA County jails so far this year - ABC7 Los Angeles · interview · published 2026-02-19 · stance: neutral - An ABC7 Los Angeles report (Phillip Palmer, February 19, 2026) on a televised interview in which Sheriff Robert Luna responded to concerns after ten in-custody deaths in the county jails early in 2026. It quotes Luna directly on causes he sees (a rising population of medically and mentally fragile people, which he linked to Proposition 36) and on measures underway, including body-worn cameras in custody, a vital-sign wristband pilot, and expanded medical screening. - Ten in-custody deaths had been recorded so far in 2026; Luna said the jails ended the prior year with 46. - Luna linked an increase in people entering the jails to Proposition 36 and said 51% of the population needs more medical care. - Luna said 54% of the prior year's deaths were from natural causes, which he said indicates health problems in the community. - Luna said other jail systems show similar trends but added, "I'm not rationalizing it or making excuses." - Measures cited: body-worn cameras in custody facilities, a planned wristband pilot to monitor vitals, and a new Inmate Reception Center section for medical screening. - Luna said his goal is zero deaths. ### OIG Reform and Oversight Efforts: LASD, July-September 2025 - LA County Office of Inspector General · official analysis · published 2025-11-19 · stance: neutral - The LA County Office of Inspector General's quarterly report on Sheriff's Department reform and oversight for July through September 2025, issued November 19, 2025, with the department's written response appended. It covers the department during Robert Luna's tenure as sheriff but does not discuss him by name. It reports on deputy-involved shootings, internal investigations, Taser use, eyewitness-identification policy, an outstanding OIG request about surveillance of a county oversight official, a Rosas settlement compliance case, jail overcrowding, and fifteen in-custody deaths in the quarter. - No one was shot or shot at by LASD personnel this quarter; LASD attributed this to increased Taser use, which the OIG said is currently without evidentiary basis. - The OIG said it suspended regular rollouts to deputy-involved shootings because of staffing reductions and lack of implementation of state laws on cooperation with external investigations. - The OIG found LASD's eyewitness-identification policy noncompliant with Penal Code 859.7 because it makes recording optional; LASD responded it will revise the policy. - An OIG request for materials on alleged LASD surveillance of a county oversight official (subpoena served October 2024) remained outstanding; LASD responded that it produced over 55 gigabytes of data and retained outside counsel in July 2025 to look for more. - In a Rosas compliance case, the OIG concluded LASD should have found a deputy and custody assistant dishonest about an unreported 2020 use of force, which would have required discharge or an explanation. - Jail population was 12,797 on September 30, 2025, above the rated capacity of 12,404; MCJ, PDC-North and NCCF operated over capacity. - Fifteen people died in LASD custody during the quarter; the OIG listed areas of concern including non-operational CCTV and timeliness of emergency responses. ### Sheriff's office responds to California's lawsuit over jails - AOL · news · published 2025-09-09 · stance: neutral - A short Center Square report (republished by AOL) on the LA County Sheriff's Department's response to the California Attorney General's lawsuit over jail conditions. It contrasts the Attorney General's allegations with the department's news release and a statement from Sheriff Robert Luna, who said staff remain committed to constitutional, humane care and that the department is proactively advancing reforms. - Attorney General Rob Bonta's suit names the county, LASD, Correctional Health Services, Luna and CHS Director Dr. Timothy Belavich as defendants, filed in LA County Superior Court. - The suit alleges rat infestations, neglected medical, mental and dental care, overcrowding, inadequate plumbing, sanitation and temperature control, and substandard food and diets. - LASD said the lawsuit relied on outdated information and that many items were completed or being addressed under its practices or ongoing federal settlement agreements. - LASD said it had been fully cooperative since Luna took office in December 2022, producing over one million documents for 23 subpoenas and fulfilling over 1,000 information requests. - LASD said it spent about $309 million on jail facility and operations upgrades. - Reference: Attorney General's complaint against LASD - Reference: LASD news release responding to the lawsuit ### Attorney General Bonta Sues Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Over Inhumane Conditions at County Jails - California Attorney General · other · published 2025-09-08 · stance: oppose - California Attorney General Rob Bonta's press release announcing a lawsuit against Los Angeles County, the Sheriff's Department and County Correctional Health Services over conditions in the county jails. It is the plaintiff's own account. It says that during a civil-rights investigation opened in 2021, LASD under Sheriff Robert Luna made a number of reforms to patrol operations but refused to agree to comprehensive solutions for the jails, and that preventable in-custody deaths have continued to climb under Luna according to LASD data. - The lawsuit, filed in LA County Superior Court, seeks injunctive and declaratory relief against the county, LASD and Sheriff Luna, and CHS and its director. - The Attorney General's investigation, opened in 2021, alleges unsanitary, overcrowded facilities, inadequate plumbing and temperature control, spoiled food, scarce hygiene supplies, little time out of cells, and inadequate medical and mental health care. - The release credits LASD and Luna with a number of reforms to patrol operations but says they 'remained obstinate' on jail conditions. - It says LASD's own data show preventable in-custody deaths climbing over the last three years under Luna. - Requested reforms include adequate medical, dental and mental health care, protection from harm, habitable conditions, prompt health care requests, disability accommodations, and language access. - Reference: Filed complaint (file-stamped) - Reference: Torrance Police Department enforceable agreement ### LASD transferred at least 20 inmates over to ICE. Sheriff Luna explains why - ABC7 Los Angeles · interview · published 2025-07-17 · stance: neutral - ABC7 report on a July 17, 2025 press conference in which Sheriff Robert Luna explained the department's procedure for transferring inmates already in custody to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Luna said transfers occur only with a federal judicial warrant signed by a judge, consistent with state law (SB 54) and 2020 county policy, and that 20 people were transferred in May and June. - Luna: "We will only transfer an individual into ICE custody if we are presented with a federal judicial warrant that's signed by a judge." - Luna said the department complies with California Senate Bill 54 and the 2020 Los Angeles County policy limiting cooperation with federal immigration officials. - Twenty individuals were transferred between May and June 2025; Luna said most had serious or violent charges such as attempted murder, robbery, rape and sexual battery. - Luna said such warrants are "an effective and peaceful vehicle" for transferring people who committed violent or serious crimes. ### Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission March 20, 2025 meeting minutes - LA County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission · official text · published 2025-03-20 · stance: not_applicable - Official minutes of the March 20, 2025 business meeting of the LA County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, at which Sheriff Robert Luna attended. Luna presented the department's self-assessment of progress on the Commission's 27 recommendations to eliminate deputy gangs. The Commission then took up its three document subpoenas for use-of-force investigation files; no LASD custodian of records appeared, Luna cited County Counsel advice and a declaratory relief action LASD had filed, and the Commission voted to seek enforcement and to secure counsel to defend against that action. It also voted 8-0 to urge Luna to ban offensive station logos, specifically the Fort Apache logo. - Luna reported that 19 of the Commission's 27 deputy-gang recommendations were completed or nearing completion, five were under evaluation, and the recommendations to reduce supervision and rotate deputies would not be implemented. - Luna said he was in discussions with the deputy unions (ALADS and PPOA) on logo and gang/clique policies, and described a focus group, training, recruit interview questions, a two-captain model in Lancaster, and mentoring. - Commissioners variously commended the efforts and raised concerns, including the chain of command and an emerging deputy gang in Palmdale. - The subpoenas sought investigation files on LASD uses of force against Andres Guardado, Emmett Brock and Joseph Andrew Perez; no LASD custodian of records appeared. - Luna said County Counsel advised that LASD was complying with the law and that a custodian should not appear, and that LASD had filed a declaratory relief action; Chair Bonner said the subpoenas were authorized under Measure R and County Counsel was incorrect. - The Commission voted 8-0 to request enforcement of the subpoenas or independent counsel, and 8-0 to secure counsel to defend the Commission in the declaratory relief action filed by Sheriff Luna. ### LA County Sheriff Robert Luna subpoenas oversight body - Spectrum News 1 · interview · published 2025-03-20 · stance: neutral - A City News Service report on Spectrum News 1 (March 20, 2025) on Sheriff Robert Luna declining to comply with Civilian Oversight Commission subpoenas for records in three use-of-force cases, citing County Counsel's advice and a declaratory relief lawsuit he filed to have a court decide. It quotes Luna and Commission Chair Robert Bonner. - The Commission subpoenaed records on the 2020 deputy shooting death of Andres Guardado, the 2023 beating of Emmett Brock by a Norwalk deputy, and the 2020 beating of Joseph Perez by Industry station deputies. - Luna said the department had 'nothing to hide' but County Counsel instructed him not to provide the records, and that complying would violate the law according to County Counsel. - Earlier that week Luna filed a declaratory relief action in LA County Superior Court asking a court to decide whether LASD must comply. - LASD argued deputy personnel records are confidential under state law; Luna said he was concerned the department could face criminal charges if it released them. - Bonner called Luna's actions 'extraordinary, and frankly, disrespectful to this commission.' - The article notes the Commission's subpoena power under a 2020 Board action, Measure R, and state law, and that Luna had criticized Villanueva in 2022 for not cooperating with oversight. - Reference: Spectrum: new LASD deputy gang allegations at Palmdale station ### L.A. Sheriff Luna defies subpoenas, sues oversight commission over deputy misconduct records - Los Angeles Times (via AOL) · news · published 2025-03 · stance: neutral - ### LA County Sheriff Robert Luna: Department will not assist in immigration enforcement - ABC7 Los Angeles · interview · published 2025-02-13 · stance: neutral - ABC7 report on an interview in which Sheriff Robert Luna said his department's immigration-enforcement policies had not changed amid the Trump administration's crackdown, that deputies will not participate in ICE sweeps, and that local police do not ask immigration status. He also urged peaceful protest. - Luna: "I can assure people that we are not going to participate in [ICE] sweeps." - Luna called immigration a "civil immigration issue" and "a federal law enforcement issue," saying departments are short-staffed and lack the staffing to assist. - Luna: "we don't ask people their immigration status when they're arrested" or when they call 911. - Luna encouraged protesters to protest peacefully, with "no violence, no destruction of property." - Luna advised people worried about deportation to carry documentation and know their rights. ### 'I wanted to change the tone:' Robert Luna evaluates first year as Los Angeles County sheriff - ABC7 Los Angeles · interview · published 2023-12-06 · stance: neutral - ABC7 interview-based report in which Sheriff Robert Luna evaluates his first year in office. Luna describes changing the department's tone, pursuing transparency and a better relationship with the Board of Supervisors, acting on deputy gangs and cliques, reducing force incidents in the jails, the need to close Men's Central Jail, and a staffing shortage he links to overwork and employee wellbeing. - Luna: "I also wanted to change the tone. I didn't want any more of us versus the world." - Luna said a new policy on deputy gangs and cliques was in place and that "at least three current investigations" involve the topic, with discipline in one. - Luna said force incidents had been reduced by 31% and that Men's Central Jail needs to be closed; he said about 42% of the inmate population is mentally ill. - Luna said the department is understaffed by 1,200 deputies and had approval for eight academy classes. - Luna linked overwork to retention problems; eight LASD employees died by suicide in 2023, per the report. - Reference: ABC7: Robert Luna officially assumes duties as 34th sheriff ### LASD sheriff orders deputies to obey watchdog request to reveal gang tattoos - Police1 · position statement · published 2023-05-19 · stance: neutral - A Los Angeles Times report by Keri Blakinger, republished by Police1, on Sheriff Robert Luna's May 2023 department-wide email ordering personnel to appear and cooperate truthfully when the Inspector General requested interviews about suspected Banditos and Executioners deputy-gang tattoos. It quotes the email at length, contrasts it with former Sheriff Villanueva's resistance to oversight, and includes skepticism from a plaintiffs' attorney, a victim's relative and union officials. - Luna's email ordered all personnel who received an OIG interview request to appear and give 'full, complete, and truthful statements,' and said obstruction could lead to discipline or firing under county policy. - Inspector General Max Huntsman had sent 35 letters to deputies suspected of Banditos (East LA station) or Executioners (Compton station) tattoos. - The deputies' union ALADS had advised members to respond only with a form letter; its president said it remained concerned about the OIG approach. - The article describes Luna's order as a major shift from Villanueva, who had defied subpoenas, barred oversight investigators and made Huntsman the target of a criminal investigation. - Oversight officials noted Luna had not yet formally accepted any of the Civilian Oversight Commission's 27 deputy-gang recommendations. - Reference: OIG letter to deputy witnesses re deputy gangs investigation - Reference: Special counsel report condemns deputy gangs - Reference: LA Times: deputies ordered to show suspected gang tattoos - Reference: Judge allows deputies' $80M deputy-gang lawsuit to proceed ### Civilian Oversight Panel Adopts Recommendations to Eradicate Deputy Gangs - County of Los Angeles · official analysis · published 2023-03-03 · stance: neutral - A County of Los Angeles press release announcing that the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission approved its Special Counsel's Report on Deputy Gangs and adopted all 27 recommendations, which it sent to Sheriff Robert Luna with a strong recommendation that he adopt, implement and enforce them with all deliberate speed. It concerns Luna as the recipient of the recommendations early in his term; it does not report any response from him. - The Commission adopted all 27 recommendations from Special Counsel Bert Deixler's report, in categories of leadership and supervision, policies and training, re-deployments and rotations, and accountability. - The report confirmed the existence of deputy gangs, identified current gangs, listed obstacles to eradication, and found eliminating them constitutionally permissible. - The investigation included eight special hearings and interviews with nearly eighty anonymous witnesses. - The report was also sent to the Board of Supervisors to fulfill a September 2021 directive to develop an implementation plan. - The release lists prior documentation of deputy gangs, including the 1992 Kolt Report, the 2012 Citizens' Commission on Jail Violence report, an OIG Banditos analysis, Loyola Law School's report and the 2021 RAND study. - Reference: Special Counsel's Report on Deputy Gangs (March 2023) - Reference: OIG analysis of the Banditos investigation (2020) - Reference: Loyola Law School report on 50 years of deputy gangs - Reference: 2012 Citizens' Commission on Jail Violence report - Reference: RAND study on LASD subgroups ### Sheriff Robert Luna says things going "extremely well" after his first month in office - CBS Los Angeles · interview · published 2023-01-06 · stance: neutral - CBS Los Angeles report on a sit-down interview with KCAL News political reporter Tom Wait about a month into Robert Luna's term as sheriff. Luna says things are going "extremely well," describes repairing relationships with county bodies, and discusses staffing, deputy gangs, Men's Central Jail, mental-health calls and homelessness. - Luna: "I did hit the ground sprinting... It's going, I believe, extremely well." - Luna said his first month was spent sitting down with the Board of Supervisors, County CEO's Office, Civilian Oversight Commission and Inspector General, relationships he said were strained under Villanueva. - Luna said he met with Villanueva on his last Friday and Villanueva left him a letter. - On staffing: "We're short in custody, we're short in patrol." - On deputy gangs: "I don't deny that it's a challenge." - On homelessness, Luna said it is complex and needs different solutions and partners rather than "a one-size-fits-all." - Reference: CBS LA interview video ### Sheriff-elect Luna on fractured relationships and challenges ahead post-Villanueva - LMU Newsroom · news · published 2022-12-05 · stance: neutral - A brief Loyola Marymount University newsroom item pointing to a Los Angeles Times story about then-Sheriff-elect Robert Luna. It quotes LMU Loyola Law School Professor Sean Kennedy, chair of the Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission, saying he had spoken with Luna by phone. The item contains no words from Luna himself. - Kennedy said Luna's commitment to cooperating with outside agencies is "a good sign." - Kennedy said "Luna's commitment seems stronger than any prior sheriff" to addressing deputy gangs. - Reference: Los Angeles Times: Sheriff-elect Luna on 'fractured relationships' and challenges ahead ### What kind of LA County sheriff will Robert Luna be? - LAist · interview · published 2022-11-15 · stance: neutral - LAist profile, published after Alex Villanueva conceded the 2022 race, of what kind of sheriff Robert Luna promised to be. It quotes Luna's victory statement, his LAist candidate-questionnaire answers and an AirTalk interview on oversight, deputy gangs, jails, crime and the District Attorney, and reviews praise and criticism of his seven years as Long Beach police chief. - Luna promised a "180-degree difference" from Villanueva, including cooperation with oversight bodies: "I will comply with subpoenas. I will testify in front of the Civilian Oversight Commission. I will work with the Inspector General." - On deputy gangs, Luna wrote: "I will not only get rid of gangs within the Sheriff's Department, I will also change LASD's culture to ensure that gangs do not resurface in the future." Villanueva had called the problem one "of perception more than reality." - On crime, Luna called for "a data-driven approach, be relentless in investigations, and be surgical with interventions" and a plan with the DA for habitual offenders. - Luna said he did not support recalling DA George Gascón absent a crime or violation of office integrity, though he does not agree with all of Gascón's policies. - In Long Beach, Luna introduced body-worn cameras, an early-warning system and an office of constitutional policing; he told LAist police shootings fell 50% between 2015 and 2020. - LAist also reports criticism of LBPD under Luna: lewd-conduct stings targeting gay men condemned by a judge in 2016 (Luna says he did not know of them), racial disparities in 2019 traffic stops, a policy of not interviewing officers after shootings, and aggressive response to 2020 protests. - Reference: LAist 2022 candidate questionnaire (Luna and Villanueva) - Reference: LAist 2022 sheriff results - Reference: LA Times: lewd-conduct stings ruled discriminatory (2016) - Reference: Long Beach Post: traffic-stop disparities (RIPA data) - Reference: Long Beach Post: officers not interviewed after shootings - Reference: LBPD statement defending its policy - Reference: LAist: reporter shot with foam projectile, found within policy ### Sheriff candidate questionnaire: Robert Luna - LAist · other · published 2022-10-11 · stance: neutral - ### The Race For LA County Sheriff: Q&A With Robert Luna And Alex Villanueva - LAist · other · published 2022-10-11 · stance: neutral - ### Villanueva, Luna face off in L.A. County sheriff debate - KTLA · debate · published 2022-09-22 · stance: neutral - Short KTLA report on the first debate between Sheriff Alex Villanueva and former Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna, in which the two exchanged accusations over the Attorney General's takeover of the Kuehl investigation, the response to unrest after George Floyd's death, and a past complaint within the Long Beach Police Department. - Luna agreed with the attorney general's decision to strip the sheriff of the Kuehl investigation: "You can't investigate your political opponents." - Villanueva said Luna would not touch public corruption "because his job as a puppet is to look the other way." - Villanueva said Luna "acquiesced" to Long Beach political leaders during the 2020 riots; Luna said that if Villanueva had summoned more mutual aid, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Long Beach would not have suffered as they did. - Villanueva alleged Luna was part of a racist police department and that people who complained faced retaliation; Luna disputed that account, saying he turned the matter into an administrative investigation. - The two agreed their favorite TV show is "The Big Bang Theory." - Reference: KTLA: Attorney General Rob Bonta taking over Kuehl investigation - Reference: KTLA: Villanueva demands supervisors stop using the phrase 'deputy gangs' ### LA County sheriff debate: Robert Luna criticizes Sheriff Alex Villanueva's record - ABC7 Los Angeles · debate · published 2022-09-22 · stance: neutral - City News Service report (published by ABC7) on the September 21, 2022 televised debate at the Skirball Cultural Center between then-Sheriff Alex Villanueva and challenger Robert Luna, the former Long Beach police chief. Luna presented himself as a collaborator with other elected officials and criticized Villanueva's investigations of political opponents, his handling of alleged deputy gangs, and his defiance of oversight subpoenas. Villanueva called Luna a "puppet" of the Board of Supervisors, defended the search of Supervisor Sheila Kuehl's home, and defended his record on deputy gangs. - Luna: "I work with people. I don't work for people. That's the contrast between myself and my opponent." - Luna said it was wrong to "investigate your political opponents or enemies" and that doing so eroded public trust. - Villanueva said Luna would not touch corruption "witha 10-foot pole because his job as puppet is to look the other way." - On deputy gangs, Villanueva said he had taken "all the action we could legally" and challenged Luna to "name a single deputy gang member"; Luna replied, "You can't fix a problem you don't know exists." - Luna said he believed federal and state intervention was needed on deputy gangs. - The candidates differed on working with District Attorney George Gascon; Villanueva called Gascon a "second public defender," while Luna said the sheriff had a responsibility to work with officials he didn't get along with. - Reference: ABC7: California attorney general seizing control of LASD investigation involving Supervisor Kuehl ### LA County sheriff debate recap: Villanueva and Luna clash in combative exchanges - The LA Local · debate · published 2022-09-22 · stance: neutral - LAist debate recap (by Robert Garrova and Frank Stoltze, republished by The LA Local / Boyle Heights Beat) of the September 21, 2022 televised sheriff debate at the Skirball Cultural Center. It sets out where Robert Luna and Sheriff Alex Villanueva stood on homelessness, deputy gangs, race, lawsuit costs, the District Attorney and the Kuehl investigation, and gives background on both candidates' records. - Villanueva called Luna a "puppet" of the Board of Supervisors and framed the race as "about the independence of the Sheriff's Department"; Luna said Villanueva "hates" the board and "This is why public trust has been eroded." - Asked to describe the department in one word, Luna said "disarray" and Villanueva said "persevering." - Homelessness: Villanueva said law enforcement's job is to "regulate public space" and cited Venice; Luna said the status quo is "absolutely not working." - Deputy gangs: Villanueva said he implemented a policy that became a model for state legislation but called deputy gangs "a political buzzword... just like unicorns"; Luna said "You can't fix a problem you don't know exists." - Lawsuit costs: Luna called for reforms, more accountability and County Counsel debriefing juries: "You have to look in the mirror and hold yourself accountable." - On DA Gascón, Villanueva said he has "no confidence" in him; Luna said "I don't agree with all of George Gascón's policies, but my obligation is to work with him." - Luna backed the Attorney General's takeover of the Kuehl case: "You cannot investigate your political opponents or enemies." - Reference: LAist original debate story - Reference: LAist: oversight panel launches full-scale deputy-gang investigation - Reference: LAist: oversight panel calls for Villanueva's resignation - Reference: LAist: voters to decide on supervisors' power to remove sheriff - Reference: LA Times: Kuehl warrant order / AG takeover - Reference: Long Beach Post: Luna's party registration ### Chief Luna, Sheriff Villanueva trade criticisms in heated debate for LA County Sheriff - CBS Los Angeles · debate · published 2022-09-21 · stance: neutral - CBS Los Angeles report on the 2022 televised sheriff debate (hosted by Fox 11, the Los Angeles Times, Univision and KPCC) between former Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna and Sheriff Alex Villanueva. Villanueva called Luna a "puppet" of the Board of Supervisors; Luna criticized Villanueva's confrontational style and said the sheriff had no business investigating Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. - Villanueva: "When the Board of Supervisors recruits eight candidates to run against me they did it for one reason only... They want a puppet and we have the person right here as that puppet." - Luna: "when you're working with people that doesn't mean you're a puppet... The first thing I would do as Sheriff is I would stop this us versus them culture and mentality." - Villanueva cited a hiring freeze imposed on the department as a reason for objecting to the board. - On the Kuehl investigation, Villanueva said it began in September 2019 and that he consulted the Attorney General; Luna said "You cannot investigate your political opponents or enemies." - Reference: CBS LA debate video ### LA County sheriff's race: Alex Villanueva, Robert Luna trade political jabs during virtual debate - ABC7 Los Angeles · debate · published 2022-08-18 · stance: neutral - Short ABC7 report on a nearly hour-long virtual (Zoom) candidates forum held during a Sherman Oaks Neighborhood Council meeting in August 2022, in which Sheriff Alex Villanueva and challenger Robert Luna traded insults. Most of the exchange centered on the Board of Supervisors and on homelessness cleanups such as Venice. - Villanueva said of Luna: "He would've rather eaten his own liver then go into Venice." - Luna said Villanueva showing up "on the day of a cleanup with a cowboy hat" did not mean he was "fully engaged in fixing it." - Luna criticized Villanueva for demeaning the Board of Supervisors, which controls the department's budget. - Villanueva said the department relies on the board "for funding and that's about it" and that he talks directly to the community at town halls. ### Luna, Villanueva sheriff runoff campaign - Long Beach Post · news · published 2022-06-19 · stance: neutral - A Long Beach Post analysis by investigative reporter Anthony Pignataro, written after the June 2022 primary, about whether Robert Luna, then retired Long Beach police chief, could unseat incumbent Sheriff Alex Villanueva. It concerns the 2022 race, not the 2026 runoff. It reviews Luna's Long Beach record (fewer police shootings and use-of-force incidents, but rising litigation payouts and criticism over 2020 unrest and officer discipline), his campaign themes (principled leadership, deputy mental health, deputy gangs), and the contrast observers drew with Villanueva. - Uncertified June 2022 count: Villanueva nearly 31%, Luna more than 25%, setting up a runoff. - Luna was a registered Republican until 2018 and re-registered as a Democrat; Villanueva's campaign called him a 'right-wing Republican' pretending to be a Democrat. - During Luna's LBPD tenure, police shootings and use-of-force incidents decreased, while the city spent more than $30 million (2014-2019) on related litigation. - Luna was criticized by some of his own officers as underprepared during the May 2020 unrest; Black Lives Matter activists criticized him over officer discipline and disrupted his campaign kickoff. - Luna said he would ask state and federal investigators to examine deputy gangs and emphasized deputy mental health. - Political scientists described Luna as a 'moderate reformer' likely more amenable to civilian oversight. - Reference: Police shootings and force decline in Long Beach - Reference: Cost of police-related litigation to Long Beach - Reference: Luna announces bid for sheriff - Reference: Criticism of Luna over 2020 unrest response - Reference: New Yorker on LASD deputy gangs ### Who the heck is Robert Luna? Here's what we know about the candidate for sheriff - LAist · interview · published 2022-06-10 · stance: neutral - An LAist profile by Emily Elena Dugdale, published after the June 2022 primary, introducing Robert Luna, then former Long Beach police chief, as a sheriff candidate. It draws on a Zoom interview with Luna and quotes him at length on collaboration, deputy gangs, department culture and his Long Beach record, alongside supporters and critics. It also reviews scrutiny of LBPD under Luna (TigerText, sting operations, protest response). It concerns the 2022 campaign; a Nov. 15 update notes Villanueva conceded to Luna. - Luna described himself as a "180-degree difference" from Villanueva, focused on collaboration and partnerships, and committed to working with the Board of Supervisors and oversight agencies. - Luna recognized deputy gangs as a problem and, per his LAist questionnaire, pledged to get rid of them and change LASD culture. - Luna said he reduced LBPD police shootings by 50% between 2015 and 2020 and that violent crime in Long Beach fell by over 6% under him; he introduced body-worn cameras, an early-warning system and an office of constitutional policing. - Luna said he did not support the recall of DA George Gascón, though he does not agree with all his policies. - Criticisms reviewed: LBPD's use of a self-deleting text service, lewd-conduct stings targeting gay men condemned by a judge in 2016 (Luna said he did not know of them), surveillance technology, and the aggressive 2020 protest response including a foam projectile that struck an LAist reporter. - Endorsements from former rivals Cecil Rhambo and April Saucedo Hood and from the LA Times editorial board. - Reference: LAist 2022 Q&A with Luna and Villanueva - Reference: LA Times editorial endorsing Luna (2022) - Reference: What kind of LA County sheriff will Robert Luna be? - Reference: LA Times on LBPD TigerText use - Reference: LA Times on Long Beach sting operations ruling - Reference: Knock LA on Luna's LBPD record ### L.A. Sheriff Luna defies subpoenas, sues oversight commission over deputy misconduct records - Los Angeles Times (via Yahoo News) · news · published undated · stance: neutral - ### Robert Luna - Ballotpedia · voter guide · published undated · stance: neutral - ## Suggested use Ask me neutral questions about this subject using the material above. Distinguish what the sources say from your own background knowledge, cite the source titles you rely on, and say when information may be out of date given the dates shown.