According to recent reports, deputies for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department misuse the statewide information database thousands of times in 2023.
First reported in January by the self-proclaimed online civil liberty organisation, the LASD lawmaker incorrectly used California law enforcement communications systems thousands of times a year, misused the system to perform background checks for hidden carry permits.
Clets System provides access to statewide and national databases, including large caches of sensitive information, including criminal history records, driver’s licenses, and vehicle registration information.
Law enforcement agencies must report alleged misuse of the system to the California Department of Justice. EFF’s public record request found that out of 7,635 violations in 2023, approximately 89% (6,789) came from LASD.
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Crets have strict requirements for their use. It cannot be used for personal inquiries or for immigration enforcement purposes. It is also strictly prohibited to use the system to investigate hidden carry permits.
In a statement provided to the Los Angeles SPABRIC media, LASD said that the misuse of the system in 2023 was an honest mistake in accessing the system without its knowledge due to its own old program.
The Sheriff’s Department has since updated its program and retrained deputies for proper use of the system, officials told the outlet.
Mohammad Tajsar, an attorney for the ACLU in Southern California, told La Public Press that he believes the sheriff’s department needs to do more to address the misuse of confidential databases.
“Given the seriousness of the crime, Clett’s abuse should be the basis for automatic termination, and criminal charges must be collected against the abusers of the system,” Tajsar said.
California law enforcement agencies must report a misuse of Clet the previous year by at least February 1st. The 2024 report should already be submitted to the California DOJ, but the EFF says it will take several months for the information to become available.
The nonprofit compiled an annual tally of Clet misuses from 2019 to 2023. This can be viewed and downloaded on its website.
KTLA reached out to both LASD and the ACLU in Southern California for comment.
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