Watch CBS News investigates alleged gangs within the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department

In CBS News' latest investigation, the network delves deep into the inner workings of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department to uncover the alleged presence of gangs within the law enforcement agency. The investigation, which is now available exclusively on Paramount+, uncovers a range of concerning behaviors and activities among deputies within the department.

The documentary-style series features interviews with insiders, whistleblowers, and experts in the field, as well as extensive analysis of department documents and internal communications. It details the alleged existence of gangs within the sheriff's department, with deputies reportedly sporting tattoos, using specific hand gestures and initiating new members.

The allegations are considered serious as they include reports of inmates' beatings, internal retaliation on whistleblowers, nepotism, and racist attitudes deployed by deputies. The show paints a picture of the Sheriff’s department as a place where members of certain cliques are rewarded with promotions instead of being held accountable for their negative actions—which allegedly include violence against prison inmates, abuse of power, and inappropriate use of force.

Despite Sheriff Alex Villanueva refuting many of these claims, the show puts a spotlight on specific cases, including the story of Deputy Art Gonzalez Jr., who was allegedly beaten and left with broken bones because he had a different gang affiliation than his fellow deputies. Gonzalez eventually ended up suing the department and receiving over $1 million in damages.

Another featured scandal is the one involving the secret cliques of the Sheriff’s department. The show goes into detail to name several of these secretive groups, including The Vikings, The Regulators, and The 3000 Boys. The group culture allegedly dates back to the 1970s and is still operating within the department.

Beyond the allegations of gangs and factions, the show explores issues such as nepotism, lack of diversity, and inadequate training for new hires. For instance, some of the deputies in question were hired despite criminal histories or contacts with gangs. Meanwhile, the department is expressed to have a long history of hiring predominantly white men as opposed to hiring more women or people of color.

The documentary aims to show viewers the significant impact that this toxic culture has had on the community, and highlights the fact that those in power must be held accountable for their actions. Moreover, the investigation shines the light on the importance of transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies, where improvement is relevant in order to repair the relationship between officers and the communities they are supposed to serve.

Overall, the CBS News investigation into alleged gangs within the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department is a detailed, thought-provoking, and compelling piece of investigative journalism that is now available on Paramount+. It chronicles the long and troubled history of the department, the allegations against certain members, and the impact it has had on its officers and the communities they serve.